Annie Ross, Oran Mor, Glasgow, Tuesday February 21st *****
Missing a flight due to an expired passport, getting it renewed on a public holiday, flying from New York, giving interviews, attending a film premiere … any octogenarian who had had the kind of week that Annie Ross had already had by Tuesday night might feel a bit tired. But then Annie Ross is not just any octogenarian.
Clearly energised by the terrific reception she’d just had at the film festival, the jazz star took to the stage at Oran Mor and did not leave it for 90 minutes. She didn’t even take a break to let her top-drawer duo – pianist Tardo Hammer and bass player Andy Cleyndert – carry the load for a while. And what’s more, her deep, rich voice sounded stronger and more commanding than I’d heard it before.
She held the audience spellbound with her vivid and utterly compelling renditions of a series of ballads. She may not be able to sustain notes – and filling in the gaps with colour and wit is a task stylishly pulled off by Hammer – but she paints a beautiful picture and tells a gripping story. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square and One Meatball, a Depression-era number, were mini-dramas and the audience hung on every word she sang.
Indeed, it’s her commitment to the lyrics which shines through; they’re invested with emotion and intelligence – and there are few singers who care as much about the meaning of what they’re singing. Among many highlights Lush Life was a particular stand-out – not only because to hear Ross perform it is like being given a masterclass in life lessons, but also because she learned it direct from its writer, Billy Strayhorn…
ANNIE ROSS with Tardo Hammer (piano) and Andy Cleyndert (bass), Tuesday February 21st
Nobody Else But Me
The Very Thought of You
Speak Low
Trav’lin’ Light
C’mon Home
In the Gentle Rain -Here’s That Rainy Day-Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out to Dry-If You Could See Me Now
Four
Remind Me
Twisted
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
Watch What Happens
Lush Life
Bye Bye Blackbird
One Meatball
I Thought About You (scroll down for Thursday night’s programme)
Annie Ross with Tardo Hammer (piano) and Andy Cleyndert (bass), Oran Mor, Glasgow, Thursday, February 23rd
Nobody Else But Me
The Very Thought of You
Fun to Be Fooled
My Old Flame
Sing Baby Sing
I Wonder What Became of Me
Do Nothin’ Till You Hear From Me
A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
But Not For Me
Sure Thing
Poor You
Day In, Day Out
Nobody’s Heart-By Myself
Music Is Forever
Lush Life
One Meatball
encore: I Got Rhythm
Alison Kerr's Jazz Blog 
We were at the same concert – saw you sitting down the front, I think – and loved it. She is a real star, and held the audience in the palm of her hand. She sang a few less familiar numbers amongst some standards so thanks for the programme list. Can you advise, what was the song she introduced as “This one’s Billie Holiday’s…”. I loved it. Great review, by the way….
Hi Doug,
Thanks for the comments. It was Trav’lin’ Light. Chet Baker also did a great version – which I love – on his Baker’s Holiday album.
Cheers,
Alison
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Hello Alison! Great review: glad to hear the ‘hip one’ is still in fine voice. We’ll be in Glasgow this month (15th): just got back from Moffat and Livingstone last weekend and 2 weeks ago we have a sell-out at Ronnies doing ‘Dear Blossom’.
Listing the repertoire of Annie’s concert is a great idea. xxxJanet
Looking forward to seeing you again Janet! Thanks for the comment.
I loved this gig so much – thanks for posting the video today!
Didn’t she do Twisted too or did I imagine that? I was at the film screening too so may be muddled.
God, you’re right: she did do it. I remember – I must have been unable to read my notes! I’ll check my notebook and add in any other omissions… Thanks!
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