Barb Jungr (vocals) Simon Wallace (Piano) The Sage November 17th

Barbr Jungr (vcl), Simon Wallace (pno). Every now and then I go to hear a singer that I’ve never heard of before. I’m so glad I did go to this concert with Barb Jungr as I can only describe the experience as WOW! Don’t ask me to classify her singing as it fits no category I’ve ever heard of except So Good. Just Simon Wallace on the grand piano and Barb Jungr perched on a high stool, wearing a long dress with a jagged red and silver pattern.

Barbr told us she would sing the songs of male song writers that she loved who wrote ‘post Great American Songbook’. She began with Mark Cohen’s Walking in Memphis, sung in her own vigorous style, almost all on one note, every word crystal clear. Changing the tune so much shouldn’t work, but it did, gloriously so.

This was followed by Bob Dylan’s Ride me High and songs by Neil Diamond, Todd Lundgren, Bruce Springsteen and others. She gave very much her own take on songs such as Paul Simon’s tale about living in a small dull town (‘a bit like Rochdale’); Can’t Get used to Losing You; Red Red Wine; Witchita Linesman; and Love Hurts. The way she sang brought out fresh meaning to the songs. Towards the end of the concert Barb treated us to a wonderfully sensitive version of a song about going out into the world aided by the strength of your family (didn’t catch the title, sorry, sack the reviewer) and she ended with a feisty version of Lust for Life before running from the stage. You’d have to hear this singer yourself to understand her skill and style, I’d describe it as feisty, enthusiastic, cabaret-like but with gospel type endings to some songs, and lots of self-deprecating humour. Lots of chat between songs, such as the tale of the 400 year old pianist who accompanied her at Northampton, or comments about which songwriters she’d prefer not to sit next to at a dinner party. Simon Wallace on piano was wonderful, with lots of jazzy elements and a rippling right hand. He could have given a concert on his own. The audience almost filled level 1 of hall 2, and we were thanked for being there profusely by Ms Jungr, and she really meant it. See her for yourself. I can’t wait for the next time! Ann Alex.