Preview: Kate Daniels Quartet @ Lit & Phil Friday Nov. 14

I reviewed this CD about a year ago and it figured highly in my vocal discs of 2013. As the Kate Daniels Quartet are appearing at the Lit and Phil on Friday (Nov. 14) I thought it appropriate to repost the review - with vocal samples - to give readers an idea of what they have to look forward to.
Not to be missed - 7.30pm. £10/£8 (concessions). More details in RH column.

Lance.

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Kate Daniels (vcl); Tony Coe (ten); John Horler (pno); Mike Piggott (vln); Graham Pike (tpt); John Etheridge (gtr); Alec Dankworth (bs); Winston Clifford (dms).
(Review by Lance).

I usually deal out vocal CDs to Anne Alex or Debra M but, on this occasion, I hope the two ladies will excuse me for being selfish and allow me to wallow in this CD myself!

Kate Daniels is a new name to me but her love of film noir and The Third Man in particular drew her into my aura before she'd even sang a note!

When I spun the CD I wasn't disappointed!

The cool, smoky, laid back approach of say, a Julie London or a Jeri Southern with a sprinkling of Peggy Lee, make this the late night disc to end all late night discs and it's only early afternoon!

Get Out of Town, described as a film noir arrangement certainly has that threatening feeling underlying the introduction - I was already packed and ready to leave until the vocal came in - after that I was staying, it was "Too late my friend!" Graham Pike does a little cooking here.

Angel Eyes - verse done colla voce leading to an emotive reading of the tune with sympathetic tenor from Coe and delicate keys from Horler.

Don't Worry 'Bout Me and I Thought About You have some fine fiddling from Mike Piggott enhancing the already 99% perfect tracks.

Night in Tunisia - discards the usual "kick the camel approach" in favour of a dreamy desert mirage. Etheridge adds to the image.

Whisper Not has Horler and Pike heard to advantage and Kate pays tribute to the Benny Golson tune with as good a version as you're going to hear anywhere.

You Don't Know What Love is and Beautiful Love - packed full of emotion. Where has this lady been hiding?

Nature Boy and Witchcraft - ace! However, listen to Brel's Port of Amsterdam.and the mood is closer to Les Chanson. An earthy Piafesque portrait of the harbour at night, a sort of Apaché Dance sung with passion and feeling.

You know what? I'm gonna play this again! And again and again and again...
For our London readers, Kate Daniels is appearing at the Ajani Grill (289 Hornsey Rd) tonight (Nov. 28.)
Samples etc.

Lance.