there is much to enjoy on Moments in my Notebook and undoubtably something for everyone who enjoys good music of any persuasion.
Fiona Ross Music (Available from Bandcamp)
Fiona Ross (Vocals, Piano and finger clicks); Gibbi Bettini (Guitar); Derek Daley (Bass);
Marley Drummond (Drums); Loren Hignell (Saxophones, Clarinet and flutes); Dave Boa (Trumpets); Simon Todd and Warren Woodcraft (Percussion); Band Banter: Everyone
Special guest: Laura Impallomeni (Trombone) ‘This Energy’
Special guest: Migdalia van Der Hoven ( Drums) ‘La Facon Dont Tu Bouges’ + ‘China Told Me’
‘China Told Me’:
Lyrics and top line melody for verse 2 sung and written by Mary Sho; Fiona Ross ( Vox and piano); Migdalia van Der Hoven ( Drums); Charlie Flynn (Bass); Hannah Horton (Sax); Charlotte Keeffe (Trumpet); Mary Sho (LeadVox); Diana Torti ( Backing Vox);
Mutsa (Backing Vox)
JSteps: Miriam Cooke (Trumpet) Emily Metcalfe (Sax) Lily Walpole (Oboe) Meredith Beach (Clarinet) Lydia Brown (Flute) Izzie Bishop (Trumpet) Nina Mele (Sax) Josie Horton (Sax)
The effervescent Fiona Ross is quite simply unstoppable and continues a run of successful albums with a double album of 21 new songs, which as she proudly celebrates as this now takes her tally of original songs to no less than 100. An amazing achievement in itself, but when taking into account the quality of each and every one it is even more remarkable.
For those who have been following Ross’s progress, she has certainly not been shy about releasing albums (on average one a year), and when considered as a body of work why should she? Each new release brings to light a new facet in her songwriting and arranging that ensures each presents new delights.
I have written before about the advantage of having a solid core of musicians to call upon Ross has surrounded herself with a fine band who have developed as unit alongside her, both in the studio and live. It will therefore come as no surprise to learn that the music has a flow that is reassuring, and you immediately know that this is a Fiona Ross album from the opening bars of ‘Running Into Your Arms’ that kicks off this wonderful double album.
Ross has one of those marvellous voices that cannot be mistaken for anyone else, and has found the perfect combination of musicians to bring her songs to life. More than that, there is a flexibility within in the band that means Ross is free to continue to develop her arranging talents bringing a new dimension to each new recording.
As a lyricist, Ross is a superb storyteller and manages to write in a way that we can alll identify with the sentiments and subject matter, and indeed gives us reasons to feel good about ourselves as heard in the lyrics to the uplifting ‘Let You Soul Shine’, a feeling that is also conveyed in the upbeat ‘This Energy’ that Laura Impallomeni’s wonderfully lyrical and fluid trombone solo.
Ross’s delicate vocals and exquisite piano playing are to the fore on the lovely ‘Pirates in Paris’ while ‘Voices Unheard’ is a cleverly arranged feature for voice, double bass and saxophone. ‘La Façon Dont Tu Bouges’ is another wonderful arrangement featuring neat solos from trumpeter Dave Boa and Loren Hignall on baritone saxophone, while Ross really goes to town on the fabulous ‘Cina Told Me (Live Session)’ for an extended vocal and horn sections.
Fiona Ross does not confirm to genre stereo typing so as she will readily admit this is not a jazz album per se but brings that eclectic music blend that is uniquely her own. Needless to say, there is much to enjoy on Moments in my Notebook and undoubtably something for everyone who enjoys good music of any persuasion.
