Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Black Bull - July 19

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

(Review by Russell).

You and the Night and the Music, Old Devil Moon, A Love That Never Dies (composer Lambert) and Lullaby (comp. Shoulder). Classic songs, familiar material; the latter two known to those who’ve heard Ruth Lambert give her master class in the art of intimate jazz singing. This ‘audience with’ occasion was at a select gathering in the Black Bull, Blaydon.

Ruth Lambert the artist has hit upon the right chemistry in working in a trio format with guitarist Giles Strong and bassist Mick Shoulder. Sensitivity, knowing what to play and, crucially, when not to play, are precious qualities and the string players possess them in abundance. Skylark, arguably Lambert’s signature tune, and, without doubt, one of your reviewer’s Desert Island selections, was as near to perfection as one could wish to hear.

Guitarist Strong, playing archtop and classical guitars, writes songs and at this Blaydon Jazz Club concert Lambert sang Everything Was Beautiful, the rapt audience picking-up on the past tense; a love affair at an end, perhaps regretful. Devil May Care swung with panache; 1920s material that Lambert will hopefully be doing into the 2020s! Fabulous phrasing, Strong’s magical accompaniment. More nonchalance – don’t try this at home folks! – with I’ve Got the World on a String (Harold Arlen-Ted Koehler), to So Tell Me (comp. Lambert-Shoulder) to a dark, affecting interpretation of  Love For Sale.

Lambert lightened the mood with a couple of swinging, up tempo numbers – Caravan, then You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To – with the string players taking fine solos. A fantastic evening drew to a close with Lambert confiding: I Fall in Love Too Easily. A swinging Time After Time – relaxed lower register, then effortless soaring vocals – saw us on our way. Next month (Aug 16) Blaydon Jazz Club presents one of the best piano trios working in jazz today. The Paul Edis Trio will be playing music written by, and associated with, Duke Ellington.            

Russell.