#A QUIET STORM MARLENE VERPLANCK FULL#

A few of these livelier numbers add dashes of playfulness to the otherwise mostly ballad-dominant programme, particularly Ms VerPlanck’s a cappella intro and later scat break on Nobody Else But Me and the racing pace at which all three musicians hurtle through The Best Thing For You. Her flights of impeccable glissandi bridge tonally precise phrasing, with Morgan chasing the lyric good-naturedly on bass.

The set began with an uptempo rendition of They Say It’s Spring, with Ms VerPlanck launching spiritedly into the spritely lyric (“this feeling light as a feather…”). For one thing, her delivery is anchored firmly in the present: each song has an immediacy about it, as if its sentiments have occurred to her in the moment, while her two excellent accompanists (John Pearce, piano and Paul Morgan, bass) follow her lead. Such transportive qualities are the ideal setting for Ms VerPlanck’s music, which with its themes of longing and wistfulness invites the listener to reminisce about times gone by (particularly her melancholic reading of Jack Segal’s noir ballad I Keep Going Back To Joe’s) – but Ms VerPlanck’s communicative powers go far beyond mere nostalgia. Walking into the venue is an uncannily transportive experience you are immediately plunged into another era. The circular art deco cabaret room itself sports an impressive mirror ceiling that belies the room’s modest size, and tables and chairs are arranged fan-like around the small red-curtained stage, with even the furthest seat against the back wall feeling up-close and personal. This time she was making her debut at Crazy Coqs, a new cabaret spot beneath Piccadilly Circus currently boasting an impressive programme of classy performers, including Christine Bovill and Claire Martin. Tierney Sutton Band: American Road Marlene VerPlanck at Crazy Coqs, London, March 2014Īfter enjoying a happy afternoon at one of Marlene VerPlanck’s lunchtime concerts at Ronnie’s last year, I was keen to catch her again on her annual sojourn in the UK. Rosemary Clooney: The Buddy Cole and Nelson Riddle SessionsĮtta Jones: Don’t Go To Strangers/Something NiceĬhet Baker Quintet: Conservatorio Cherubini Stephanie Nakasian: Show Me The Way To Get Out Of This World Ira Kaspi: You And The Night And The Music Rodriguez at the London Jazz Festival 2012ĭee Dee Bridgewater at the London Jazz Festival 2012Įlla Fitzgerald: Sings Ballads For Lovers George Shearing: On The Sunny Side Of The Strip + On StageĮlla Fitzgerald: Wishes You A Swinging ChristmasĮlla Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong: Porgy & BessĮrnestine Anderson: The Complete 1947-1958 Marlene VerPlanck at Ronnie Scott’s, March 2013 Joanie Sommers: Positively The Most!/The “Voice Of The Sixties”/For Those Who Think Youngīook review: Benny Goodman’s Famous 1938 Carnegie Hall Jazz ConcertĬhris McNulty: The Song That Sings You Here Harry Connick, Jr.: Every Man Should KnowĬathrine Legardh: Love Still Wears A SmileĬarmen McRae: Sings Lover Man/Sings Dave Brubeck’s Compositionsīillie Poole: Sermonette/Confessin’ The Blues Hugh Masekela & Larry Willis, St George’s Bristol, November 2013īook review: Late Life Jazz – The Life And Career of Rosemary Clooney Shirley Horn: Live At The Gaslight Square + Loads Of Love Marlene VerPlanck at Crazy Coqs, London, March 2014 More reviews will be added as they are published in Jazz Journal.

#A QUIET STORM MARLENE VERPLANCK FULL#

I’m a big jazz fan, and can sometimes be heard warbling the old jazz standards myself, so it’s a delight to be able to write about the newest releases in the jazz world.įor those interested in jazz, or in writing about music, or for those who just fancy a short diversion while visiting my website, you can read my full back catalogue of reviews below. I write album, book and live reviews for national jazz magazine, Jazz Journal.

A quiet storm marlene verplanck