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JOANNA EDEN A LITTLE BIRD TOLD ME Black Box BBJ2012

 

The Joanna Eden Trio :

Joanna Eden - piano/voice

Charlie Price - drums

Scott Noftle - bass guitar

With :

Alan Leggett - trumpet ( 1 & 3 )

Francesco Cavalier - guitar ( 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 & 11 )

Dan Boutwood - guitar ( 2 )

Alison Neale - flute ( 7 & 11 )

Luke Annersley - tenor saxophone ( 12 )

Julie Walkington - double bass ( 10 )

Recorded London between 1st & 13th October 1999

1. I Don't Smoke

2. Night And Day

3. Here Comes Baby

4. Don't Explain

5. 59th Street Bridge Song

6. Father's Day

7. Sea Journey

8. Lover Man

9. God Bless The Child

10. How Deep

11. Triste

12. A Little Bird Told Me

I must confess that I had never heard of Joanna Eden before I received this CD. However, I am most impressed by what I have listened to here. Joanna has a pleasant and highly personal voice which definitely falls into the Jazz category. There are overtones of many other artists but her style is essentially her own. Hers is not a powerhouse of a voice - it rather lends itself to the softer sounds, whilst still being able to drive at the brighter tempos. From the picture on the cover Joanna is obviously quite young, but she does not fall into the trap of a semi-pop persona as, unfortunately, do so many of her contemporaries.

Thematerial is a healthy mix of standards and originals. Miss Eden shows great talent and originality in her compositional skills. Of particular note are the swinging "Here Comes Baby " and the intensely moving "Father's Day"."59th Street Bridge Song" is an interesting and joyous reworking of the Simon and Garfunkel classic. All of the songs associated with Billie Holiday are most sensitively handled.

Instrumentally there is much to applaud, not least of which can be credited to the effective piano from the leader. There is an excellent guitar solo fromDan Boutwood on "Night And Day" and much more good guitar playing from Francesco Cavalier throughout the remainder of the session. Alison Neale contributes admirably on flute and there are some fine moments from Luke Annnersley on tenor saxophone.

I strongly recommend this offering and look forward to the day when Joanna Eden is given the same recognition accorded to such worthies as Clare Teal, Stacey Kentand Claire Martin.

Dick Stafford

 

 

 

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