The last time we caught up with Lucy May was at the launch of her second album "Little By Little" where with a full band and backing singers she took her career off in a soulful direction and never looked happier.
Previous to that her opening album "Whirlwind" was a more pop country tinged affair where all out pop rockers like the title track nestled nicely with big ballads like "Hole In My Heart"
All of this brings us to her latest release "Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me" originally performed in a more cabaret lounge crooner version by Ray Price and perhaps more widely known in its more soulful reinterpretation by Gladys Knight & The Pips
Lucy May's version is acoustic and while that guitar sound takes us off in a more jazzy direction, her vocals retain the warm soul of Glady's version without ever feeling the need to try to go toe to toe with her. It would be easy to have done a facsimile of that version which would have been at risk of over emoting. instead Lucy is nicely restrained, supplying a proper believable vocal performance as if she is living every word, as if she has knows what is to have had her "share of life's ups and downs" and to have found "the best thing that ever happened to me".
Gradually building in intensity, this is a fine version and a welcome return to recording action and the fact that it is already picking up radio plays on the BBC is a testament to how good a version this is.
Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me' will be released on the 4th June