One thing you can guarantee at a Debra Milne gig - whether it be with her Ensemble or her Latin set up - is that you will hear a fine selection of songs, both original and GAsbook, sung word perfect in her own distinctive style.
Tonight the material included Stella By Starlight; Just You, Just Me - this latter number had an imaginative take on a Lester Young solo. Chick Corea was represented with 500 Miles High and Spain. The unison passages between guitar and voice on Spain were spot on. Born to be Blue, Mel Tormé's emotive lyric came from the heart and Love Me or Leave Me - done at the currently fashionable up tempo - failed to capture the essence of the song. Don't worry Debra, Anita O' Day and every other singer sees it that way - except of course the Day, Doris!
A few originals - Stay; Blame Game being two that stood out - suggested that, whilst Milne and Glendinning may not be the next Lennon and McCartney, song-writing could still be another string to their bow.
Talking strings, apart from Stevie's ace solos, equally impressive were the bass lines he laid down.
Circumstances decreed I couldn't stay as long as usual but it was good to see the Caff's Saturday night's duo policy being supported.
Lance.
No comments :
Post a Comment