It would be unfair to describe the late Emily Remler as a great woman guitarist - she was a great guitarist irrespective of gender. Likewise, Deirdre Cartwright and Kathy Dyson are also great guitarists and there can be few more fitted to paying tribute to Emily who died at the tragically early age of 32.Those of us who heard the duo Remembering Emily at the Side Café, Newcastle, back in 2009 will want this CD. Much of the music heard that night is re-created on the disc and, if anything, time has honed it to perfection.
As this is only the second time I've heard the duo I can't identify who does what but who/whatever they both do it effectively.
The music is a balanced mix of standards and originals all related in various ways to Inspiration Emily.
In particular I liked Afro Blue/Sonnet For Emily. This is Santamaria's classic played beneath a poem by Sarah P who emotively delivers a eulogic stanza to Emily whilst D and K play Emily's original arrangement. The love, the feeling filter through. It's delicate and refined - it's impeccable. Qualities people (like myself) love and others hate.
Music needs tenderness as much as aggression and this is tenderness personified - I can't stop playing it. The perfect antidote to much that passes as jazz these days!Lance.
Emily Remembered by Deirdre Cartwright and Kathy Dyson available here.
1 comment :
Sadly, the music scene in Newcastle is one I don't know well, but
"Music needs tenderness as much as aggression..." Thanks for that - it'll be my thought for the day. It's easy for musicians to "get into a groove" and stay there when in fact the whole point is to explore a whole range of expression.
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