Gabriele
Heller (vocals); Paul Beck (piano); Steve Glendinning (guitar); Dave Parker
(bass)
(Review by Ann Alex)
It’s
about a year since I’ve heard this band and they were great then. I’m tempted to say they’ve moved up to the
next level, which is true, except that I don’t really agree with talking about
levels as every band contributes what they can.
But they were great, let’s just say, and this may even be my gig of the
month or even of the year.
Gabi
is a trained actor, and she brings the full range of her talents to the
interpretation of the songs, even being in character for some of them. For the
opening song, Our House, we are
invited to partake of all the sweetmeats and fruit available there, for
instance. During Don’t Mess Around,
we are tempted to believe that this is a woman to be feared.
Besides jazz standards, Gabi gives us original
songs such as Broken and Sisters; unusual songs such as Inchworm (arguably a children’s song); Falling in Love Again (In German); an
Argentinian protest song about the disappeared of that land; Bluesy numbers
such as Gee Baby and Come On In to My Kitchen. The standards included Imagination; Softly As In A Morning Sunrise; You’d Be So Nice To Come
Home To; Lullaby Of Birdland; Old Devil Moon; Speak Low; Round Midnight; All Or
Nothing At All and the encore Them
There Eyes. This long list shows how much work the whole trio put in to
this gig, played with enthusiasm and aplomb.
The
band solos were a delight, as we’ve come to expect from this trio, Steve
especially in the Bluesy numbers, Paul rippling away well and Dave impressive with
a fast bass for Old Devil Moon and
tapping percussion on the wood for the Argentinian song.
So
the encore was well deserved from a well-filled bar. I hope it’s not long before their next
performance.
Ann Alex
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