(Review/photos by Jerry)
Ruth,
Mick and Giles have a CD out and, having heard most of the tracks from it here
tonight, I bought one! The sleeve-notes include this quote (not sure from
whom): “It’s all about the intimacy of the trio. Three voices, each one as
important as the other.” That sums up the distinctive atmosphere and experience
here tonight. Thanking the band at the end, the MC likened it to chamber music
in its clarity and apparent simplicity and he knows more
about music than I do! I stress “apparent” simplicity as there is much
complexity in the writing and arrangements and much subtlety of technique in
performance to achieve that end. A treat of a gig!
The
GASbook was well represented with You and the Night and the Music and Old
Devil Moon in the first few numbers. Later came Carmichael’s wistful Skylark (bass and vocals only)followed by I’m in the Mood for Love. We also
had Devil
May Care and Arlen’s perky I’ve got the World on a String.
During
the interval the band had discussed possible rhythmic augmentation – conga
drums or an egg, maybe? In the event neither of those were deployed but on
Tizol’s Caravan Giles tapped out the rhythm on the body of his guitar
just as Mick had done on the bass on Love for Sale. Later we had Cole
Porter’s You’d Be so Nice to Come Home To, Time After Time (with
Mick sort-of-singing on his solo – always a good sign!) and, as an encore
(vociferously requested), Secret Love.
Ruth
admitted that the GASbook has always been her “comfort zone” but tonight (and this is mirrored on the CD) she
was stepping boldly and brilliantly out of it! Mick’s arrangement of Softly,
as in a Morning Sunrise, for example, was “tricky to sing”, but how
well she sung it! Then there was a blues – Love me Like a Man – dedicated to
B.B. King with whom Bonnie Raitt often collaborated. I loved this version!
Ruth’s
love of a song that tells a story brought us something more recent (well,
1969!) – Al Wilson’s The Snake - a happy song about a
tender lady rescuing a poorly snake from death in return for which “he gave her
a vicious bite”! When they told me this was “a seminal Northern Soul song”, I didn't believe them! Their version was mesmerising and if you ever want hissing
sibilants, Ruth’s the girl!
There
were originals, too, which showed that Carmichael & Cahn did not have a
monopoly on good tunes and thoughtful lyrics! I have heard Ruth sing A
Love That Never Dies countless times but never knew till now that she
penned it. I assumed it was someone like Jobim (which I assume Ruth will take
as a compliment)! She and Mick co-wrote Lullaby, a slow, moody piece
teetering on the line between comfortable and spooky! Giles Strong’s Everything
Was Beautiful lived up to its name and had lyrics which, in my opinion,
the old masters would be proud of, suggesting positives which might emerge from
the otherwise sad break-up of a relationship. Mick Shoulder’s How
Could I? was introduced with the speculation that one day people might
refer to the Great North-Eastern Songbook! Why not? say I - the first chapter has already been written!
“With
Mick Shoulder on bass and Giles Strong on guitar Ruth will be in good voice”
was how Bebop…flagged up this gig. Spot on! Three more concerts are coming up
here between now and November – do NOT miss them!
Jerry.
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