Jazz review: Melody Gardot

Published on Thursday 19 November 2009 09:13

Melody Gardot Queens Hall Edinburgh * * * * *

THE Queens Hall must have provided a disappointing sight from the stage last night as only a half-capacity crowd turned out to welcome the Philadelphia-based jazz vocalist back to the Capital.

Breezing on stage with understated elegance, dressed all in black and with peroxide blonde hair reminiscent of Marilyn Monroe, this striking and seductive presence soon silenced the expectant audience.

But those anticipating an immediate rendition of her songs, which have led to comparisons with Norah Jones and Joni Mitchell, were instead greeted by the theatrical sight of Gardot on hands and knees, pouring sand through fingers and rustling a tambourine.

For those familiar with her inspiring story – near fatal injuries from a car accident six years earlier which have left her physically impaired, suffering from memory loss and reliant on dark glasses to compensate for an oversensitivity to light – such an enigmatic and courageous entry came as no surprise.

A competent pianist during her formative years, it was only during her gruelling period of convalescence that music took on a more profound and vital role in her life; guitar offering both a cathartic path toward recovery and a blossoming career as a jazz artist revered for bringing the genre to the masses while remaining faithful to its origins.

Introducing her band, she branded saxophonist Irwin Hall "our pilot for the night" then lifted the tempo with a blistering, chaotic solo, which welded into a powerful wall of sound supplemented by Gardot on piano, plucking like a woman possessed, before grounding and allowing the bass and drums to ease into an assured rhythm which belied the band's collective inexperience – they have played together for only four weeks.

Hall's double sax solo showmanship was a standout moment early on, and was almost matched by his beautiful support on the clarinet during the delicate and breezy Les Etoiles, whose French lyrics and life-affirming warmth elicited the best from Gardot's dreamy, hypnotic vocals.

The band went on to explore endless creative avenues together, their collective energy providing a solid base for the set, with Gardot often content to take up a role as equal contributor on guitar, rather than forcing strictly faithful renditions of the songs, most of which came from her latest album My One And Only Thrill.

Whimsical musings and conversation with the crowd contributed to the relaxed atmosphere and provided insightful context for many of the songs, while playful and dismissive jesting with a couple of outspoken audience members ensured the songs were left to speak for themselves. The single Baby I'm a Fool, infused with a melancholic yet optimistic charm, provided perhaps the highlight of the evening.

Nonetheless, for all the band's strengths, this sonic perfection was occasionally let down by lacklustre volume on the vocals, most notably during the encore. But by this point the night was already a runaway success.

At one point early on the affable hostess suggested that music can take us anywhere. No doubt more than a few ventured outside after 90 minutes in musical utopia regretting that it cannot take them with her for the next leg of the tour.

'I will definitely be buying her album'

Lucy MacMillan, 33, PA, Glasgow: "It was interesting how the night started off in a moody, minimal way, but gradually she built up a rapport with the audience. Fantastic performance!"

Roy Campbell, 41, music promoter, Fife: "This was my first time seeing her live. It was a really good show."

Jessica Forgie, 31, project analyst, Tollcross: "Melody has a beautiful voice and powerful stage presence. I hadn't heard of her until yesterday but will definitely be buying her album."

Fraser Bell, 57, retired, Blackford: "To think that just a few years ago she hadn't even picked up a guitar and is now one of the best young talents out there."