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| © Sheila. Herrick |
I was nervous. On the strength of singer/songwriter Hannah Brine's debut album Blue Sky Now (due out on June 27) I'd waxed eloquently on her merits in the hope that the customers would come and, if they did, they would like what they saw and heard.
The answer was 'yes' on both counts as the 'clapometer' showed after the opening number - Boxes.
Hannah isn't an out and out jazz singer but when she does dip into the GASbook her wide range, which wouldn't be out of place upstairs in Ronnie's, copes to great effect. Thus we had a balanced mix of originals from the album and some much-loved standards although I do think that My Funny Valentine should, like White Christmas, be restricted to the appropriate season.
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| © S. Herrick |
A minor criticism is that she occasionally takes a breath in the middle of a phrase affecting the flow of the line. However, as the same charge could also be levelled against Ella Fitzgerald it's no big deal.
One thing that stood out was that singer, band and audience were having fun. Dean, Andy and Gaz were at the top of their game, particularly on their instrumental feature Bye, Bye Blackbird. Top marks also to the sound engineer who got it just right.
Next Sunday it's JazzMain down frae Edinburgh. Lance
Album tracks: One Precious Life; You Make me Believe in Love; Goodbye London; Let Love Find You; Blue Sky Now; Little Bird; Cobwebs and Lace; This Little Ship; Boxes; Heat of the Moment.
Standards: Get Happy; My Funny Valentine; Peel me a Grape; Honeysuckle Rose; My Foolish Heart; You Got a Friend.
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