Gabriele Heller (vcl); Paul Beck (pno); Dave Parker (bs); Steve Glendinning (gtr).
Lotte Lenya meets Carmen McRae meets Marlene Dietrich via Anita O'Day might sum up this gig. Certainly Frau Gabi has all of the attributes of the above and tonight she brought them in to play at the crowded Jazz Café. Lenya and Dietrich provided the Cabaret/Blue Angel/.Threepenny Opera feel, McRae the clipped delivery and O'Day the wonderful scatting. Ann reviewed Gabi's first gig in glowing tones and I can do little more than re-iterate her words.and maybe add a few of my own.
Darktown Strutters Ball! Can you think of a more unlikely number for a hip modern singer to open up with? I can't and yet it worked fine! Imagination was another that was sung - wait for it - imaginatively whilst All Or Nothing At All had plenty in the way of vocal dynamics as Gabi took the song by the scruff of the neck and re-worked it beautifully - I think Frank would have approved.
As well as the standards, Gabi's original Don't Mess Around had a funky feel and a scary message - I sure ain't gonna mess around!
Throughout, the band gave her excellent support and there were some wiz solos from Steve on guitar and Paul on piano with Dave throwing in the odd bass solo for good measure.
I think we can safely say that this "Warbler" - sorry that's flippant - this "Singer" has arrived!
It was a good night and I think King Keith will be well pleased to see his superb venue so well patronised tonight (...maybe...)
It was a good night and I think King Keith will be well pleased to see his superb venue so well patronised tonight (...maybe...)
Lance.
PS: I had to leave early to catch The Metro but I have to say that my favourite number of the ones I heard was the sound-check version of Kurt Weill's Johnny!
PPS: Catch Gabiriele Mit Drei at Hoochie Coochie on Dec. 29.
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