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KATE DIMBLEBY GOOD VIBRATIONS Black Box BBJ 1004

Kate Dimbelby - vocals & backing vocals
Steve Hamilton - acoustic piano/Rhodes piano/organ/synth
Mark Hodgson - acoustic & electric bass
Ian Thomas - drums/cymbals
Richard Niles - acoustic & classical guitar/backing vocals
Nigel Hitchcock - soprano/alto/tenor sax
Recorded 27 - 30 April 1998 London.

1. Good Vibrations
2. That's Cool
3. Almost Blue
4. Can't Get You Out Of My Mind
5. San Diego Serenade
6. I'm Gonna Leave You
7. Fever
8. River Man
9. I Don't Know Anything
10. I Can't Let Go Now

This release from 1998 contains a liner note written by Marion Montgomery in which she states that "Kate Dimbleby certainly gets under your skin." While this is undoubtedly true I would hazard to guess that Ms Montgomery's interpretation of this feeling is somewhat different to mine. Any singer who is bold enough to attempt an all-time classic such as the title track has to be very convincing. I must say, as an avid fan of the music of the great Brian Wilson, that Miss Dimbleby would have been best advised to leave this number well alone. Her reading is too clever, almost to the point of being twee and there are some songs that really do not need " jazzing up ".

The rest of this album is adequate with one or two better moments, but the damage has already been done on the opener - the lesser known tracks are often the better options, the Richard Niles numbers are interesting and "Can't Get You Out Of My Mind" is particularly pleasing. Any vocalist who attempts " Fever" is inviting strong comparison, which brings me to the crux of the problem in that the featured artist here is just not that good a singer. Her voice is not strong or memorable and her intonation is often somewhat suspect.

The accompanying players perform well as one would expect from musicians of this calibre, and, as always, Nigel Hitchcock contributes strongly throughout with his Brecker-ish saxophone sound.

I could not honestly recommend this recording when there are offerings available from such accomplished British singers as Claire Martin and Clare Teal.

Dick Stafford.

See also a more affirmative review of Kate's Later album Ain't This Cosy

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