ZOE FRANCIS - The very thought of you
Diving Duck Recordings DDRCD023
Zoe Francis ( vocals ) Jim Mullen ( gtr ) Stan Salzmann ( pno ) Gareth Williams ( pno ) Mick Hutton
( bass ) Enzo Zirilli ( drs )
Recorded live at the 606 Club, London 2014
Although Zoe Francis was born in the U.K. she kick started her singing career in New York by sitting in with illustrious company including Harry Allen and Warren Vache at the Greenwich Village club “Arturo’s”. She also attended workshops run by pianist Barry Harris which inspied her to take up singing. She now resides in the U.K. with her partner guitarist Jim Mullen who is also featured on this release
This albof um was recorded at a live session from London’s 606 Club and is accompanied by an all-star group of jazz musicians. This is her second album her first “Looking for a Boy” was released on her own label on which she was accompanied by pianist David Newton with whom she had worked gigs in the Bristol area.
The album opens with a rarely heard number by Ray Noble, Gig Gryce and Jon Hendricks which sets the tone for the rest the album and contains some interesting tenor fills and solo by Stan Sultzmann there is also a hard driving piano solo by Gareth Williams. The vocal swings along very nicely but her voice lacks a little depth but she may acquire this with experience but her technical ability is beyond question.
Her choice of material covers a wide range but apart from “Social Call” they are all fairly well used numbers and perhaps we can look forward to hearing some lesser known songs from the Great American Songbook on her future releases.
There is no doubt that Zoe Francis is a singer to watch out for in the future and her choice of musicians is impeccable. Stan Sulzmann’s contribution on tenor saxophone are particularly outstanding and pianist Gareth Williams has also plenty of fine playing on the album.
The slightly latin feel to “There’s a lull in my life” gives the interpretation of the song an extra dimension and along with Jim Mullen’s guitar intro and solo this is one of the best tracks on the album.
The decision to up the tempo on “Prelude to a kiss” was a master stroke and Stan Sultzmann’s solo is a beauty and along with Gareth Williams piano solo it gives a whole new slant to the song.
An absorbing release and one I would not hesitate to recommend to lovers of quality singers.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
Diving Duck Recordings DDRCD023
Zoe Francis ( vocals ) Jim Mullen ( gtr ) Stan Salzmann ( pno ) Gareth Williams ( pno ) Mick Hutton
( bass ) Enzo Zirilli ( drs )
Recorded live at the 606 Club, London 2014
Although Zoe Francis was born in the U.K. she kick started her singing career in New York by sitting in with illustrious company including Harry Allen and Warren Vache at the Greenwich Village club “Arturo’s”. She also attended workshops run by pianist Barry Harris which inspied her to take up singing. She now resides in the U.K. with her partner guitarist Jim Mullen who is also featured on this release
This albof um was recorded at a live session from London’s 606 Club and is accompanied by an all-star group of jazz musicians. This is her second album her first “Looking for a Boy” was released on her own label on which she was accompanied by pianist David Newton with whom she had worked gigs in the Bristol area.
The album opens with a rarely heard number by Ray Noble, Gig Gryce and Jon Hendricks which sets the tone for the rest the album and contains some interesting tenor fills and solo by Stan Sultzmann there is also a hard driving piano solo by Gareth Williams. The vocal swings along very nicely but her voice lacks a little depth but she may acquire this with experience but her technical ability is beyond question.
Her choice of material covers a wide range but apart from “Social Call” they are all fairly well used numbers and perhaps we can look forward to hearing some lesser known songs from the Great American Songbook on her future releases.
There is no doubt that Zoe Francis is a singer to watch out for in the future and her choice of musicians is impeccable. Stan Sulzmann’s contribution on tenor saxophone are particularly outstanding and pianist Gareth Williams has also plenty of fine playing on the album.
The slightly latin feel to “There’s a lull in my life” gives the interpretation of the song an extra dimension and along with Jim Mullen’s guitar intro and solo this is one of the best tracks on the album.
The decision to up the tempo on “Prelude to a kiss” was a master stroke and Stan Sultzmann’s solo is a beauty and along with Gareth Williams piano solo it gives a whole new slant to the song.
An absorbing release and one I would not hesitate to recommend to lovers of quality singers.
Reviewed by Roy Booth
