Fabled British singer Elaine Delmar‘s first album in several years, Speak Low (as Elaine writes on the liner note) “is a selection of my favourite songs, arranged by some of my wonderful colleagues and collaborators past and present”. A fine selection it is too with classics from every decade from the 1920s to present day.
There are several “Great American Songbook” chestnuts (a term that I’m not overly keen on as there are so many equally worthy songs penned by European and South American composers). Speak Low also boasts an Edith Piaf song originally written in French (Hymne a L’ Amour/ If You Love Me) as well as the Hatch/Trent gem Don’t Sleep In The Subway.
Of particular note, the Youmans/Caesar classic Tea For Two arranged by the late Robert Cornford sung at a much slower tempo and underpinned with a lush harmonical sequence scores highly. Producing a melancholic and ruminative quality yet retaining a ray of hope in the end. Similarly, the Piaf melody is given a renewed treatment in duet with her longstanding guitarist, Jim Mullen.
The other members of the trio, pianist, Barry Green and Simon Thorpe on bass, go to great lengths in supporting Ms Delmar throughout while fully expressing their original “voices” as well. This is particularly the case on Close Your Eyes- a lively duet with Thorpe’s rich, low bass notes resonating with Delmar’s hypnotising, slightly smirking delivery. Not to be left out, flautist Andy Panayi emerges in a cameo role with a swinging and full-toned foray on the title song. This Kurt Weill warhorse (from One Touch of Venus) has been covered extensively by many a jazzer, of course.
The passing of time has seen Delmar’s voice settle into a mellow conviction bringing out a poignancy to the human condition. One that is present in each of the eight titles therein.
Speak Low shouts high from the rooftops in this latest collection from the exemplary work of Elaine Delmar.
Frank Griffith is a saxophonist and arranger based in Liverpool. He will appearing with The Alex Hutton Trio at the Norden Farm Arts Centre in Maidenhead on 11 October. www.frankgriffith.co.uk
