Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Lit & Phil. March 14

Ruth Lambert (vocals), Giles Strong (guitar) & Mick Shoulder (double bass)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Jerry Edis).

Paul Edis’ monthly Friday lunchtime promotions at the Lit and Phil have been a resounding success. Full houses have become commonplace and it was anticipated that the appearance of Ruth Lambert would continue the trend. Well, numbers were slightly down, due, in part, to the inexplicable omission of the gig from an on-line what’s on subscription service and the venue’s own website! A glance at the printed programme available at the door confirmed one’s hopes – an afternoon of classic material selected from the Great American Songbook. Porter, Carmichael, Berlin, Jobim and others…an hour of sheer bliss.

Ms Lambert has found the ideal musical partners in Giles Strong and Mick Shoulder to accompany her intimate interpretations of such timeless material. Lambert said: Let’s Do It and so they did. In fine voice, Lambert sang with confidence, freely interpreting the lyric as never before. Skylark (a Desert Island choice)…Have you anything to say to me…Lambert said it all, wonderful. Blue Skies (all week down on Tynemouth Long Sands, said Lambert), Love Me Like a Man (Strong played the blues) and Time After Time heard Lambert swing from upper register to lower with casual ease. Bassist Mick Shoulder’s sensitive support and fine solo excursions won the approval of his boss (Ms Lambert) and the rapt audience. Angel Eyes struck a down beat note and Calamity Jane herself, the great Doris Day, lifted our spirits with a whip-cracking, rousing Secret Love (that’s a second Desert Island selection). Wes Montgomery’s West Coast Blues (a Desert Island contender) heard Strong playing chords a la Montgomery as Lambert closed the show.

The trio will record a CD in the coming weeks. It will feature GAS Book gems and original material. As and when it is released buy two copies (one for your self, the other will make an ideal Christmas present). The next Lit & Phil Friday lunchtime concert features the Virtuoso Jazz Trio, April 11 (1:00 pm).

Russell.