Rebecca Ferguson has taken on a pretty hefty task with her third album. After releasing two of the most critically-acclaimed albums ever recorded by a former ‘X Factor’ contestant - both of which she co-wrote herself - she’s gone in a new direction completely with her new release.
Rather than releasing her own self-penned tracks, Rebecca has just dropped ‘Lady Sings The Blues’, a jazz album compiled entirely of Billie Holiday covers.
Open Image Modal
Rebecca Ferguson
She claims that initially it felt strange to be recording songs she hadn't actually written herself, telling HuffPost UK: “I think for the first week, maybe, I was apprehensive because I’ve always written my own music.
“But then when I listened back to the demos, which is what we started off doing, I just fell in love with it all, and that was when I knew that I really wanted to do the album.”
Rebecca says her fans were mostly on board when she first announced the project - “I think it was about 80% of them were really happy I was exploring this type of sound” - and for those who were less than convinced, she has some good news.
“I feel like I’ve made the songs new”, she explains. “When you’re recording classic songs you’ve got to kind of make them your own, and you can’t always worry about what people are going to think.
“People will either love it or they’ll hate it, and you can’t please everyone - so all you can do is make sure that what you are doing, you really enjoy. And that’s what I’ve tried to do, I’ve tried to make music that I really love.
“And also I just want it to be a little bit more accessible as well, because a lot of these songs, for people around my age, it’s quite new to them, and so I wanted to make sure they could get on board with it all.”
Through recording the album, Rebecca also says she’s grown to “really admire” Billie Holiday, an artist who she says is often judged unfairly.
Open Image Modal
Billie Holiday
Speaking about how her feelings towards Billie Holiday have changed over time, she explains: “When I first studied Billie Holiday’s life story years ago, I admit that I was quite judgmental. I was about 15 or 16 to be fair - but in my eyes I couldn’t get my head around how she could turn to drugs, and how she was doing all these things.
“But I do think that when you get older you kind of learn not to judge, because you realise that no one's perfect, and we’re all fighting our own private demons.
“Sadly, her addictions are what’s talked about more than anything - other than her music, obviously - but when you really get deep into her life story, you see she had a big heart as well. Her life story’s unbelievable - and at the same time she did have a big heart.”
She also confesses she’s been pleasantly surprised by how well-received the album has been by the jazz community, particularly given that she first found fame on ‘The X Factor’, which often comes under fire from more “serious” music critics.
She says: “You do get the odd bit of snobbery - but that’s to be expected, and I don’t hold anything against those people. People do have ideas about ‘The X Factor’ and they’re set in their ways, but ultimately music is music - it shouldn’t matter where it’s come from.
Open Image Modal
Rebecca during her time on 'The X Factor'
“People should judge me on my music, not the fact I’ve come from ‘The X Factor’. It’s like people isn’t it? Some people come from different backgrounds, you can’t judge someone on where they’ve come from, you’ve got to judge them on talent and where they are now.”
To promote the album, Rebecca will be performing at jazz festivals, which she admits is going to be “a challenge”, but a challenge that she’s “really looking forward to.”
“Again, I’m probably going to face some snobbery,” she explains, “but I’ve just got to go on and be myself, sing from the heart and hope the audience like it. And again, if I’m doing my best then that’s all I can do really.”
‘Lady Sings The Blues’ is out now, check out a video of Rebecca performing ‘Get Happy’ below.
Queen of the Jungle, Iceland Mum and all-round National Treasure, Stacey Solomon has become a celebrity in her own right. She won 'I'm A Celebrity...' and appeared on 'The Jump' earlier this year. (credit:PA)
Rylan Clark(02 of20)
Open Image Modal
Hated by Gary Barlow, loved by the public; Rylan went on to win 'Celebrity Big Brother' and now presents 'Big Brother's Bit On The Side'. However, he's probably best known for his blindingly white teeth and incredible crying face. (credit:PA)
Diana Vickers(03 of20)
Open Image Modal
The softly-spoken Vickers, who got to the semi-finals in 2008, has expanded away from music, starring in West End shows, releasing a fashion line and apparently working on a Clint Eastwood film. She also had a number one hit with her album 'Songs From The Tainted Cherry Tree'. (credit:PA)
Aiden Grimshaw(04 of20)
Open Image Modal
Best known for looking intense and moody, Aiden Grimshaw released his debut album, 'Misty Eye' in 2012, with Digital Spy's Matthew Horton calling it 'unexpectedly brilliant'. A self-titled EP followed in 2013. (credit:PA)
Little Mix(05 of20)
Open Image Modal
From four solo artists, to two separate girl groups, to Rhythmix, to Little Mix, the band didn't have the simplest start on 'The X Factor'. However, as the first group to win the competition, Little Mix have become achieved huge success, releasing two hit albums and nabbing the record for highest debut US chart position for a British girl group's debut. (credit:PA)
Eoghan Quigg(06 of20)
Open Image Modal
Yes, him! Creator of what was reviewed as "the worst album in the history of recorded sound" by the Guardian's Peter Robinson, which tells you all you need to know about Quigg's career. Last seen with his top off, flexing his new muscles in celeb mags everywhere. (credit:PA)
Ella Henderson(07 of20)
Open Image Modal
Despite being pipped to the top spot by James Arthur in 2012, Ella validated her title of 'the most talented performer in the show's history' (courtesy of Dermot O'Leary) with her debut single, Ghost, going straight to number 1 in June 2014. (credit:PA)
JLS(08 of20)
Open Image Modal
JLS had a long career after coming second to Alexandra Burke in the 2008 series, however, they decided to call it quits in 2014. During their time as a band, JLS released five Number 1 singles, five albums, perfumes and a 3D movie. Oh and a condom range. (credit:PA)
Andy Abraham(09 of20)
Open Image Modal
Offered forth to Europe as our representative for Great British music in 2008 in the Eurovision Song Contest, the former bin man came, er, last. At least he got points. He's also released four albums, so he's ticking along nicely. (credit:WikiMedia:)
Matt Cardle(10 of20)
Open Image Modal
Matt Cardle won X Factor in 2011, apparently. You wouldn't know it. After his first successful single, Cardle's second peaked at a lofty 185 in the singles chart and he subsequently released two albums that you've probably never heard of. He's now turned himself into a West End star, and is currently appearing in 'Memphis'. (credit:PA)
Ray Quinn(11 of20)
Open Image Modal
Quinn somehow came second behind Leona Lewis, and has taken part in a string of musicals and, of course, pantomimes since appearing on the show in 2006 and won the All-Star series of 'Dancing On Ice' in 2014. (credit:PA)
Katie Waissel(12 of20)
Open Image Modal
Katie, Katie, Katie. The girl who possibly set the record for most personal reinventions in the course of three months is now in a band, while working on a debut album. (credit:Getty Images)
Rhydian Roberts(13 of20)
Open Image Modal
This is the least scary picture of Rhydian we could find and he stills looks like he's piercing someone's soul with his eyes. Anyhow, Rhydian was probably the most successful gimmick act in X Factor history, and has gone on to appear in musicals, while recording four successful albums. (credit:PA)
Cher Lloyd(14 of20)
Open Image Modal
Famed for on The X Factor for her strut, snarl and, erm, swag, Cher's debut single, Swagger Jagger, reached number 1 in the charts, despite receiving mostly negative reviews. She's also achieved success in the US and got married along the way. (credit:Getty Images)
Steve Brookstein(15 of20)
Open Image Modal
Cast your mind back to the first series of 'The X Factor', and see if you can remember Steve. He failed spectacularly to make an impact on music and has since claimed Simon Cowell is "killing music". Sour grapes, anyone? (credit:PA)
James Arthur(16 of20)
Open Image Modal
After starting his post-X Factor career with a chart-topping single and successful album, things started to go downhill for James in 2013.After writing lyrics which referenced homophobia and terrorism, Twitter spats with comedian Frankie Boyle and a number of Twitter rants, James was (unsurprisingly) dropped from Simon Cowell's label in June 2014. (credit:PA)
Leon Jackson(17 of20)
Open Image Modal
Less said, the better. (credit:PA)
Rebecca Ferguson(18 of20)
Open Image Modal
Leona Mark II, Rebecca's had a steady, slow-burning career so far, releasing two critically-acclaimed albums: Heaven in 2011 and Freedom in 2013. She released a covers album 'Lady Sings The Blues' earlier this year. (credit:PA)
Chico(19 of20)
Open Image Modal
After 'It's Chico Time' and 'It's England Time' (for the 2010 World Cup), surely Chico was destined for worldwide fame and fortune? Where can we find him if we need some more hits? Hosting webcam gaming sessions for Bingocams UK, apparently... (credit:PA)