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Elly Roberts reviews

Zoe Schwarz: Step Up

Distributed by
33 Records

February 2008

Rating: 8/10

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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-penned songs 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 1957 classic Fine and Mellow, regarded as one of America’s most important musical works of the 20th century. Her version is not a laid back as Holiday’s original, nevertheless she dazzles on this more upbeat cover. Sue Hawker and Hilary 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 Bowl is delivered with as much sensuality as the original and Ian Ellis’ tenor sax adding 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 bar blues, considered the classic ‘woman’s blues’.

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

Published in 1936, Until The Real Thing Comes Along is once again kept to the basics. Schwarz once again delivers some nifty vocal gymnastics, reminiscent of 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 sublime sax 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 with Quinny Lawrence’s shuffling brushes completing the intimate ambience, while Blues 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

Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.

As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B 37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier.

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