CD Review: Lianne Carroll - Ballads.

Lianne Carroll – vocal & piano; Mark Edwards – piano; Mark Jaimes – guitar; Roger Carey – bass; Kirk Whalum – saxophone; Gwilym Simcock – piano; James McMillan – trumpet; Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.

(Review by Debra Milne.)

Over recent years, Lianne Carroll has established herself as one of the leading British jazz vocalists, and in the latest album ‘Ballads’, she draws on her extensive experience as a singer, pianist and composer, to place a distinctive interpretation on a collection of beautiful songs. The arrangements, some by LA-based Chris Walden, are sparse and understated, enhancing the effect of Carroll’s vocal delivery. There are intimate duets with guitar and piano, small ensembles featuring different soloists, and the selective use of orchestration, and this variety sustains attention when all the songs are slow in tempo.

 In Noel Coward’s ‘Mad About The Boy’, with Gwilym Simcock on piano, and in Buddy Holly’s It’s Raining In My Heart’, she is at her best, interpreting the lyrics with sensitivity, avoiding the temptation to over-elaborate, letting the words speak for themselves. As a result, her occasional embellishments & awesome vocal power have more impact. ‘You’ve Changed’ is a lush contrast, with the strings of the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and McMillan’s muted trumpet. Mark Edwards provides excellent accompaniment on piano on many of the tracks, particularly in ‘Goodbye’, where he also plays a delicate solo. James MacMillan has done a fine job producing this album, showcasing Lianne Carroll in her prime. International recognition beckons.

Debra.

Ballads is released on April 15 and the album is launched with a stellar residency at the intimate Pizza Express Jazz Club, one of London’s best loved jazz rooms. Over the course of five star packed nights Carroll will be joined by the likes of Gwilym Simcock, John Etheridge and the brilliant Mark Edwards as she explores the many sides of her musical personality and on the Friday night she’ll be joined by pianist Mark Edwards, bassist Mark Hodgson, trumpeter and album producer James MacMillan and a full string ensemble as she launches her new album in fine style.