Beverley
Beirne (vocals); Sam Watts (piano); Flo Moore (bass); Ben Brown (drums, perc,
conga); Rob Hughes (sax, flute); Duncan Lamont (sax track 3, 9); Jason Miles
(Fender Rhodes, strings, Hammond B3 on various tracks); Romero Lubambo (guitar
track 9) Cyro Baptista (perc track 9)
Why haven't I heard this great singer before? I've been asleep on the job. This is Ms Beirne's third album, new takes on songs to do with dancing, a very enjoyable listen with a tinge of sadness for the late Duncan Lamont, ace saxman, who features on his own songs Now We're Just Friends and Old Brazil. No messing around, it's straight in from the start, fast drums and bass on Let's Face the Music and Dance, and a rich alto voice which can take higher notes in its stride.
A Weaver of Dreams gives us skilled bass accompaniment and solo work from Flo Moore, which really does flow more (joke, couldn't resist); Lamont's lyrics on Now We're Just Friends are unusual, 'We slashed at our lives, like children with knives'; Let's Dance is a samba with an extended coda, which Bowie, who wrote the song, would have loved.
Temptation is a Latin number with hand drums and voice introduction and a flute solo which reminded me of snake charming; Winter Moon is somewhat menacing, with a slow click on drums, sung feelingly, all about loneliness. The title track Dream Dancing is a swinger with sax and piano solos. Pieces of Dreams, is thought-provoking, apparently about finding an identity, an unusual song for the final track.
Beverley Beirne, a professional singer since the age of 19, began by singing classically, studied acting, completed a degree in English and Drama, worked for BBC Yorkshire TV, had a supporting role in Emmerdale, studied jazz with Tina May and Alan Barnes, performed at festivals and clubs in the UK and Europe and is currently the artistic director for Ilkley Jazz Festival, which is the venue for her next live show on August 21, 2021.
The album is available everywhere from July 5, 2021.
AnnAlex
Let's Face the Music and Dance; A Weaver of Dreams; Now We're Just Friends; Let's Dance; Daydream; Temptation; Fascinating Rhythm/Thou Swell; Bill; Old Brazil; Winter Moon; Dream Dancing; Pieces of Dreams
No comments :
Post a Comment