(Review by Ann Alex)
This is a collection of 10 original songs by Australian Ms Minton, featuring jazz played on the harp (as in Wales, not as in harmonica) and I was amazed by what a great jazz instrument this harp turned out to be. A whole new perspective on instrumentation! Ms Minton says [the CD] ‘is a musical memoir of my London journey, both as a musician and as a person.’ The songs celebrate the city of London, tell of the low and high points of various relationships, and the final song rejoices in love fulfilled with the husband she met at a gig in London. Not all the songs are jazz-like as there are elements of folk and soul too, with lots of space for improvisation. A very enjoyable CD, with good lyrics and plenty of hooks for the listener to latch on to.
The Tides Of Love has the harp flowing like water, an anthem-like song, sweet-voiced, with the strings adding to the atmosphere. Play With Me is indeed playful, a Latin beat, appropriate percussion, a romantic request for fun. It’s the first time I’ve heard Latin jazz on the harp.
Then comes the most jazzy track, could be a jazz standard, Smitten, a swinger with horns and lyrics:
‘I feel giddy and weak, Like I’ve been bitten, I’m smitten, smitten baby with you.’
February Forever changes the mood to the sadness of lost love, Hammond organ and a skilled violin solo, and what I’d call an impassioned ‘X Factor’ (as on television) type climax, which however manages to sound better than most of those on that television programme. Clementines in the Morning Sun is a tribute to the sights of London, river cruises and speedy bike rides, with a flowing harp to portray the river. O Brother Mine is a bit of a puzzle, a quite bitter song about someone who is disliked, but interesting music. I loved the blues of You’ll Never Kill a Good Woman, a spirited song of survival, a bluesy harp and a hard sounding violin. Rock ‘n’ Roll Romance is just that, a rock song about a romance that was temporary but fun, all swashbuckling drums and full pelt ensemble playing. The last 2 tracks are both about love fulfilled, ‘you are my Tower of London’ says our singer; a lyrical harp on the final track and even laughter from Ms Minton. A happy CD, definitely.
The CD is released on Friday, July 14 on Discovery Records. There is an official release do at the 606 Club, London on July 13. See www.taraminton.com
Ann Alex
Tara Minton (harp, vocals); Ed Babar (bass); Tom Early (drums); and on various tracks: Duncan Menzies (violin); Phil Merriman (Hammond organ); Filippo Dall’Asta (Guitar); Lilia Loncheva (perc); Tim Boniface (horns, keys) + string quartet: Barbara Zdziarska, Alex Isted (violins); Lisa Bucknell (viola); Davina Shum (cello).
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