(Review
by Ann Alex).
Patricia Morris is a
singer/songwriter and also a published poet, and this is a rather good EP. Her poetical gifts are shown in the quality
of her lyrics, such as ‘When I hear Billie Holiday I understand the
blues’. She has written all 5 tracks, 2
of them in collaboration with Bo Hewerdine, who has written for Eddi
Reader. Ms Morris has a rich, bluesy,
expressive voice although possibly only one track can really be called jazz,
but the EP is nonetheless hugely enjoyable.
A rundown of the tracks will illustrate it best:
Little
Bird
(Morris/McGlynn) A Latin rhythm with
good piano and the rhythm emphasised by a hand drum.
The
Sun, The Moon, The Stars (Morris) a love song introduced by a folksy
guitar.
Billie
Holiday’s Voice (Morris/Hewerdine) My
favourite track, a haunting tune with the saxophone featuring, a homage to the
lady herself.
Between
New Year And Valentine (Morris/Hewerdine) A jazzy slow ballad with an
effective piano solo, which Billie Holiday could well have sung.
Life
Goes On (Morris)
A strong song in the Edith Piaf mode, with an insistent beat, indicating life’s
journey, with the whole band except the sax.
An effective way to round off the disc.
The musicians are more
than competent but they don’t get the solo opportunities they would on a more
jazz orientated disc. The singer definitely has the limelight, which, as it is
being released under her name, I believe was the intention.
Ann
Alex.
Released early May on the Patricia Morris label, Cat No. BR002PM, Between New Year And Valentine is available for download or streaming.
Released early May on the Patricia Morris label, Cat No. BR002PM, Between New Year And Valentine is available for download or streaming.
Patricia Morris (vocals); Rohan Armstrong (double bass, electric bass); Neil Burns; (keys);
Egon Callery (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Sean McCarron (saxophone); Gary Raymond (drums, percussion); Andrea Cunningham (backing vocals).
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