In Love Again: The Music of Richard Rodgers

Released in 2002, 'In Love Again' serves as a dedicated tribute to the compositions of Richard Rodgers. Following the success of her earlier swing-oriented records, this album solidified Stacey Kent's reputation as a premier interpreter of the Great American Songbook. The recording is characterized by its high-fidelity, intimate production that places Kent's breathy vocals at the extreme foreground, a technique that became her sonic signature. Musically, the album balances upbeat swingers like 'Shall We Dance?' with a heavy emphasis on melancholic ballads. Critical reception was generally positive, with AllMusic praising the varied arrangements and Kent's innate charm, though some critics noted a slight over-reliance on slow tempos. The album remains a staple of contemporary vocal jazz, noted for its ability to bridge the gap between traditional pop and the more cerebral 'cool jazz' school of the 1950s.