Zoe Schwarz: Step Up

Elly Roberts reviews

Zoe Schwarz: Step Up
Distributed by
33 RecordsCover

  • February 2008
  • Rating: 8/10
  • Vote and comment on this album:

Unlike many of her contemporaries who seem to be tilting towards coffee table Jazz crossover fodder, Zoe Schwarz goes for a more challenging repertoire.

Schwarz has an edge the others lack, tending to mix’n’match her self-pennedsongs with standards and other co-writers, bringing a fresh approach to the genre.

The covers aren’t obvious ones either. Here she goes for Billie Holiday’s 1957classic Fine and Mellow, regarded as one of America’s most importantmusical works of the 20th century. Her version is not a laid back as Holiday’soriginal, nevertheless she dazzles on this more upbeat cover. Sue Hawker andHilary Cameron also contribute to this track adding real gusto to the lyrics.

Nina Simone’s often overlooked gem I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowlis delivered with as much sensuality as the original and Ian Ellis’ tenor saxadding some steamy textures. On 1936 Blues and Jazz standard Why Don’t You Do Right(Kansas Joe McCoy) Zoe and Sue Hawker double up magnificently on the 12 barblues, considered the classic ‘woman’s blues’.


A cover of Woodrow Wilson Johnson aka Buddy Johnson’s Since I Fell For Youis executed in a totally stripped back format, just Schwarz, and Malcolm Creese’sdouble bass adding to this magnificent torch song. Schwarz pulls off a trulyscintillating and disciplined vocal, possibly the best on Step Up.

Published in 1936, Until The Real Thing Comes Along is once again keptto the basics. Schwarz once again delivers some nifty vocal gymnastics, reminiscentof Holiday at her peak. Originals like Dear Annie sparkle with equal class,with Sue Hawker duetting superbly on this laid back gem boosted by some sublimesax by Ian Ellis and Rob Koral’s bluesy breaks.

Hawker and Schwarz have a ball duetting the jaunty swing-groove of Step Up, Play The Blues.Smouldering I Can Dream is a stylish song.

Ellis’ tenor sax oozes sensuality followed by Koral’s deft guitar licks withQuinny Lawrence’s shuffling brushes completing the intimate ambience, whileBlues To Frankie And Johnny packs a real punch.

File under: Essential listening.

Weblinks:zoeschwarz.info /33jazz.com


The full list of tracks included are :

1. Fine And Mellow
2. I Want A Little Sugar In My Bowl
3. Blues To Frankie And Johnny
4. I Can Dream
5. Why Don’t You Do It Right
6. I’m Alright Jack
7. Just Another Day
8. Since I Fell For You
9. Danger Man
10. Until The Real Thing Comes Along
11. Dear Annie
12. Step Up, Play The Blues
13. These Times We Live In

[Up to the top of this page]


Loading…