Ruth Lambert & Broadway Melody @ The Fell.

Iain MacAulay (tmb/tpt/vcl), Derek Fleck (ten/clt), Brian Chester (pno), John Carstairs Hallam (bs), Stevie Doyle (dms), Ruth Lambert (vcl).

This was a different Ruth to the one we know and love who recently took the Saville by storm at her recent CD launch. This was a woman in search of her roots and finding them.

There were times when I thought of Lee Wiley or Connie Boswell as Ruth reached back in time to songs like "Mean To Me", "Stormy Weather", "Don't Get Around Much Anymore", "All of Me", "Sunnyside of the Street" and others from the mauve decade.

Despite no proper rehearsal, Broadway Melody coped admirably with the changes of key necessary to accomodate the singer and soloed effectively with Iain having a particularly lush(er as in Don) sound. Derek was totally in period with his clarinet and tenor solos - a big round tone on the latter instrument.

On piano, Brian bore the brunt of the accompanying chores and didn't put a noticeable finger wrong - at times his keyboard voicings were quite imaginative particularly on "Santa Baby".

I've loved this song since I first heard Eartha sing it and, more recently, Caroline Irwin. Ruth's version is a worthy addition.

However, for me, the highlight was - wait for it 'cos you're never gonna believe it! - "Jingle Bells". Ruth told me later that she FORGOT THE WORDS! Louis said the same when he invented scat - whatever, in both cases the rest is history. Ruth sang an improvised chorus that almost re-wrote the song. Put it out on record Ruth and it will top the Xmas (jazz) charts!

Talking discs, this is the first gig I've ever been to where the artist hasn't arrived with a box of CD's! Ruth has two out yet ne'er a word crossed her lips and "S'wonderful" and "Taking a Chance on Love" are on them!

The chanteuse can be heard again at The Cherry Tree Restaurant on Monday with trio backing and at a church hall in Cleadon on Tuesday with the Custom's House Big Band.

Superb night.

Photos.

Lance.

PS: Omitted to mention Stevie Doyle depping on drums who kept it tight and the ever reliable John Carstairs Hallam who aided and abetted him in this mission. Appreciated.

PPS: Talking of the Customs House Band, best wishes to guitarist Roy Willis, hospitalised yesterday.