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Reviewers: Tony Augarde [Editor], Steve Arloff, Nick Barnard, Pierre Giroux, Don Mather, Glyn Pursglove, George Stacy, Bert Thompson, Sam Webster, Jonathan Woolf



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AUTUMN IN AUGUSTA

Songs My Mama Would Like

Lucysmithjazz LMS 1263

 

 


1. Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You

2. Wayfaring Stranger

3. How Can I Keep from Singing?

4. House of the Rising Sun

5. How Long, How Long Blues

 

Lucy Smith- Vocals

Michael Caskey - Drums

Marcin Fahmy - Piano, keyboards

Junius Paul - Bass

 

In the old days we would have called this an "EP", as it is an extended-play disc containing only five songs, totalling less than 19 minutes. Singer Lucy Smith chose these songs as ones that her mother played in Lucy's youth. Chicago-born Lucy says "It is music I grew up listening to and rebelling against". She also says that she used to enjoy playing her mother's records, so I'm not sure where the rebellion comes in. Now, she says, "I find my mother and her music in just about everything I do". Lucy is grateful that her mother intoduced her to such artists as Josh White, Miriam Makeba and Trini Lopez.

The CD has the air of gospel music throughout, starting with a song based on the finale of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, albeit with a slight Latin-American feeling. Junius Paul adds a neat bass solo. Wayfaring Stranger is a well-known folk song, recorded by such people as Burl Ives and Emmylou Harris. Marcin Fahmy augments the poignant atmosphere with his tender piano solo. House of the Rising Sun. with its possible hints about drug-taking, prostitution, drinking or gambling, is an odd song with which to remember one's mother but Lucy delivers it with feeling. How Long, How Long Blues is a standard blues which suits Lucy's voice well.

Lucy Smithy has a deep, warm voice, although its depth can make the lyrics difficult to hear. This is a pleasing CD despite its shortness.

Tony Augarde

www.augardebooks.co.uk

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