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.
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