It was so good to be at the Basement again, Sydney’s legendary jazz venue. We were there to see Frances Madden and her Band.
This young lady of jazz has built up a really good following and plenty of respect from her jazz peers.
Frances played two sets with about ten songs each bracket. She had a warm, silky voice with great phrasing, was very deft on the piano, and had a good rapport with both her band and her audience.
Her concert was a winning mix of strong original material and lovely renditions of pop standards.
First for the original material. Some favourites. I loved the up tempo, jivey Haunting Melody, with rich saxophone and trumpet.
Two of her ballads stood out, I Will Remember You and The One Who Walks You Home, poems dedicated to those who have indelibly touched her life. I Will Remember You featured lovely flugelhorn playing.
Francis’ cover versions featured some lovely arrangements – I loved the way her voice caressed every nuance out of I Love Paris/ La Vie En Rose. Simply beautiful.
Her soulful, very catchy delivery of the Beatles classic Can’t Buy Me Love was another highlight, as was her bluesy version of the Nina Simone classic Feeling Good.
During her second Set Frances included a rendition of ‘a song by a composer who died late last year.’ The song just happened to be Hallelujah, one of Leonard Cohen’s masterworks.
The audience which built up through the night lapped up every minute of the concert. We were all sad to see the concert finish. For her two encores she gave very bluesy versions of two pop standards, Somewhere Over The Rainbow and Georgia On My Mind.
This was an impressive concert by one of the best young players on the Sydney jazz scene. The concert took place at the Basement on the evening of Saturday 23rd September. The concert marks her first performance in her FEELING GOOD East Coast tour which will conclude with her performance on Sunday 5rh November at the 2017 Wangaratta Jazz Festival. Frances will play dates in Hobart, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Frances’ next performance in Sydney will be at the Foundry 616. Harris Street, Ultimo on Saturday 18th November. Doors open at 7pm with show at 8.30pm. Both General Admission and Dinner and Show tickets are available.
PROGRAM
Set 1
Money Got Me
If This Were A Dream
Deed I Do
I Love Paris/La Vie en Rose
Besame Mucho
Can’t Buy Me Love
Haunting Melody
At Last
Change in Your Eyes
Set 2
Spooky
Practical Magic
The One Who Walks Me Home
Route 66
Feeling Good
Hallelujah
I Will Remember You
Rain Down On Me
BAND
Peter Knopman- Guitar
Brett Hirst- Double and electric bass
Tim Geldens- Drums
Jason Bruer- Saxophone
Ray Caesar- Trumpet and Flugelhorn
Borbala ‘Bobo’ Bodonyi- Backing Vocals
Lauren Harrison- Backing Vocals
CDs available –
Frances Madden live at the Basement and Foundry 616, Sydney
Frances Madden If This Were A Dream
http://youtube.com/francesmadden