Zoë Gilby
(voice); Andy Champion (bass)
(Review by Chris Kilsby)
The local voice and double bass duo had secured the support slot at Sage
2, and their enthusiasm and pleasure at getting the gig shone through
immediately.
I had never seen the duo play live, and was as taken by the agile and
thoughtful vocal style as by the intensity and variation they sustained
throughout - and all this from such a minimal duo format! Zoë Gilby
took charge from the off, regaling us with tales of the origin and influences
of the music. The latest source of inspiration is their “Vinyl Club”, scouring
local record shops for old gems for as little as £1! They certainly found
some gems to work with here - following Sheila Jordan’s advice to take risks
with the material paid off handsomely.
The set consisted of a varied and challenging range of covers, but they
started with a safe “banker” - Pink Floyd’s stalwart Money. This
was, however, sung in jaunty, fresh style,
propelled by the powerful, singing bass line. This was
followed by Knight Moves (Suzanne Vega) and a subtly
beautiful Kashka from Baghdad (Kate Bush), where I have to say I
preferred Zoë’s delivery to that of the original chanteuse!
Straight, No Chaser (Monk)
was the only conventional jazz number and was carried off with great aplomb,
complete with scat and an awesome extended bass solo, exploring every facet of
the tune.
The set was rounded off by a new number for the duo - the revered River
Man (Nick Drake). The melancholy, mystic soul was so well captured
here that an awed hush settled around Sage 2 as the last bass notes reverberated before heartfelt applause flooded the silence. I wonder how many of the
audience shared the shivers up my spine?
Support slots might be viewed as an appetizer before the “main meal”,
but not only was this set appetizing, it was a meal in itself!
Chris
1 comment :
River Man - I heard them play it a while back ; your piece evokes echos, gazing into the mist on the water that they capture so beautifully.
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