Natalie Williams Trio @ Cadogan Hall

Natalie Williams (vcl); Phil Peskett (pno); Robin Mullarkey (bs).
(Review by Lance)

Cadogan Hall is one of the nicest concert halls and, even the smaller Culford Room was an impressive setting with its pillars and celtic knotted ceiling. It made for an intimate, yet very well attended lunchtime gig.

This was the first time I'd heard Ms Williams and I have to say I wasn't disappointed. From the opening bars of Falling in love With Love I felt the disappointment of having the plug pulled on tonight's Seth McFarlane gig at Ronnie's quickly ebb away. This girl is the biz!
Skylark, Come Rain or Come Shine (where she paused mid-chorus to admonish a member of the audience for allowing their mobile to ring in the wrong key!) Sleeping Bee and The Old Country from the well known lp by Nancy Wilson and Cannonball Adderley all served to rubber stamp her credentials as she swooped and soared, taking liberties with the lyric and the melody but always getting home on time!

Lazy Afternoon was just that - relaxed and laid back. Nobody Out There Like You - an original of Natalie's - was an absolute gem leading us into Stevie Wonder's Love's in Need of Love Today.

Interval time and, although some left, there were plenty others to take their place.

Throughout all this, Phil Peskett was outstanding on the Yamaha Grand with solos that must surely have spurred Ms Williams to reach the heights she did. Mullarkey on bass guitar was also a vital element both in support and solo.

The shorter second set was more contemporary with numbers by Metheny, The Bee Gees and a couple of originals that showed her to be no mean composer either.

Seth McFarlane? - Never heard of him!

Lance.