Evelyn Laurie (vocals); Euan Stevenson
(piano, arrangements); Tom Gordon (drums); Andrew Robb (bass); Konrad
Wiszniewski (sax, Scottish whistle); Colin Steele (trumpet); Catriona Price
(backing vocals)
Yet another CD which I listened to twice straight off, not just because it was great listening, but also because it is very unusual and interesting. We get Scottish songs from the 18th and 19th centuries which most people would classify as traditional folk songs, plus two songs, Woo Me Again and My Scottish Heart, with lyrics and music by Ms Laurie and Euan Stevenson. An insert provides the background of the songs, which are arranged as a clever fusion of folk and jazz.
For instance the Scottish folk song I Know Where I'm Going has a jazz 1920s' feel, lively, with a piano solo and a bit of improvisation on the lyrics, yet the theme of the song comes across well. Island Spinning Song was originally sung rhythmically to help with the spinning work, so the drum accompaniment is clickety clickish, with a duo of sax and piano and some Gaelic lyrics for good measure. Will Ye Gang, Love is sung in Scottish dialect and is a story of a pregnant woman deserted by her lover; the music is suitably disturbed, clanging drums to piano accompaniment, with fragmented lines of music and a lovelorn bass ending.
Woo Me Again is an amusing, catchy song to warn women not to refuse lovers too many times: My Scottish Heart features playing by the haunting Scottish whistle and concerns emigration from Scotland when people were forced from their homes during the 18th and 19th centuries. Auld Lang Syne, attributed to Robert Burns, is sung to the original 16th century tune which is much superior to the usual tune. It is done very effectively with just voice and piano.
Evelyn Laurie is a singer and songwriter from Paisley in Scotland. She is a coach and mentor to other artists and she occasionally writes and performs comedy and poetry. This is her second album. Her first album was released in 2018 and was mostly of jazz standards. Ms Laurie's voice is quite sweet and fresh, with a very 'young' tone that contrasts with her mature delivery.
The CD is available everywhere and on the usual digital platforms. See www.evelynlaurie.com. - Ann Alex
I Know Where I'm Going; Loch Tay Boat Song; Island Spinning Song; Braes Of Balquhidder; Will Ye Gang, Love; Woo Me Again; Eriskay Love Lilt; Fly We To Some Desert Isle; My Scottish Heart; Auld Lang Syne
1 comment :
Thank you very much for your review. Greatly appreciated 😊🎶❤️.
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