Reviews
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Reviews |
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She was runner
up in the “Young Jazz Musician of the Year” awards in 1998. She has been a
member of the hugely popular National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) in the UK and has had a weeklong spot at the legendary Ronnie
Scott’s Jazz Club. Her work can be
heard soon on Morcheeba’s 2002 album. Her own debut album “All the
Good Things” is in my CD player right now… School’s
Out has a very measured, bluesy sound which features Ruth Hammond’s
lazy keyboards and even lazier vocals. Her delivery is smoky and the electronic
effect applied during the chorus sections can’t take away from that. The 70’s
rhythm guitar and in-your-face funky bass of Itchy Feet made me smile. That busy backing and the nonchalant vocal delivery made me think of Swing Out Sister. The insane electric piano, however, is totally original. Living
Your Love is more mellow and thoughtful and the vocal on this song is a joy.
It’s hard not to think of classic singer/songwriters such as Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Judie Tzuke. Superb backing vocals too. Pop with a
jazz tinge has worked for years – and never better than here. Ruth takes an
old skool twisty bassline and Brass Construction rhythm guitar, slows it all down and preaches a very thought-provoking sermon
while her backing singers get all “gospel”. Listen to the lyric on
Another Day Gone – strong message – strong song. You’re more
likely to remember the electric piano than the vocal on More than Sport –
it’s well up in the mix and the riff is very repetitive. In the chorus
the energy goes up a notch and this song gets better with repeated listenings. Human
Condition is a very soulful tune, with a slow, strutting rhythm and that smoky Hammond organ sound. The backing vocals are very strong but the message in Ruth’s lyrics comes through unhindered. By now, you’ll have realised what a versatile drummer Scott Hammond is! There’s
a sweet fade into St Clears. Stop thinking about categories
and just enjoy a strong original ballad, well written, tastefully produced and performed with feeling. The sax solo (from Ruth herself) is enough and no more – the song’s the star though. I think this is my favourite. I’m getting
into this offhand vocal delivery. Don’t know why but Steely Dan popped
into my head listening to Only So Many Ways. They
are one of the bands Ruth Hammond was inspired by. The organ is more to the fore
– and I like it. It’s one of the trendiest instruments around. Er, where’d that sitar come from? The title track
is whispered more than sung and it’s a very dreamy piece. The vocal and
gauzy Rhodes are placed in a big, airy soundscape and the light cymbal work adds to the trance-like quality of the song. I liked the inspirational words “your dark moments are not how you’re
defined…”. It’s best to listen to this song on your own, with
some tissues to hand. It’s emotional stuff. It’s
hard to know how to sum up. I’ll start by saying I really enjoy listening
to this CD – present tense, I didn’t just listen to it once. That’s
the message really: this CD contains more than you think when you first hear it – more lyrical depth, more musical confidence
and more original talent, despite the fact that certain influences are apparent. If
you have a friend who owns this CD, make sure you go and see them soon – and take a good bottle of wine… |
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Blues
On Stage - Gordon Baxter http://www.mnblues.com April 2002 Ruth
Hammond was voted runner-up in the young jazz musician of the year in 1998 for her work on the saxophone. As well as playing
sax, she also plays keyboards, as well as singing and writing songs. She brings all these talents to bear on her debut album,
"All The Good Things." The
album opens with "School's Out" a relatively understated piece of sophisticated jazz-funk. It offers a fair representation
of much of what is to follow. There is a light jazz-funk air permeating the album, which mostly calls to mind the likes of
Steely Dan. For the second track ("Itchy Feet"), though, the band crank things up a bit. Bass player Greig Robinson and guitarist
James Pusey both earn their corn on a tune that could easily have come from the pen of Stevie Wonder (circa mid 1970's period).
The
impact of Hammond's voice really starts to hit home on the catchy "Living Your Love." It comes across as a sort of blend of
the late great Dusty Springfield and Dido, combining a soulful feel with a pop sensibility. The end result is very pleasant
to listen to, and the inclusion of a trio of backing singers help to further enhance the overall appeal. It all comes together
best on "Another Day Gone." Again, Pusey does a fine job laying down an insistent funky guitar line that helps make the song
stick in the mind. There
is a general lightness of touch to the whole of the proceedings, with things getting very mellow for "St Clears" which has
an almost lazy relaxed feel to it. The title track, which closes the album, slows things down further. Although it borders
on the melancholy, it is held together by another fine vocal performance from Hammond. "All The Good Things" shows that Ruth Hammond is a talented musician. She can play keyboards, and sing, and write good
catchy songs mainly in a jazz/funk vein that has a strong pop influence. It is a well crafted album, and Hammond has put together
a strong backing band. Anyone who likes the sort of stuff that Steely Dan used to play, will find much here to enjoy.
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