Skip to content
Elly Roberts reviews
33 Records
- 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 mixnmatch her self-pennedsongs with standards and other co-writers, bringing a fresh approach to the genre.
The covers arent obvious ones either. Here she goes for Billie Holidays 1957classic Fine and Mellow, regarded as one of Americas most importantmusical works of the 20th century. Her version is not a laid back as Holidaysoriginal, nevertheless she dazzles on this more upbeat cover. Sue Hawker andHilary Cameron also contribute to this track adding real gusto to the lyrics.
Nina Simones 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 Dont You Do Right(Kansas Joe McCoy) Zoe and Sue Hawker double up magnificently on the 12 barblues, considered the classic womans blues.
A cover of Woodrow Wilson Johnson aka Buddy Johnsons Since I Fell For Youis executed in a totally stripped back format, just Schwarz, and Malcolm Creesesdouble 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 Korals 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 Korals deft guitar licks withQuinny Lawrences 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 Dont You Do It Right
6. Im 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
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.