Music > Live Reviews

Lady Sings The Blues

29/06/16

“Billie Holiday is our hero” Val Wiseman announced from the Playhouse stage. She’s not overstating. Wiseman and her six-piece band have been touring for nearly two decades, all the while performing their take on Billie Holiday’s repertoire.

You’d be mistaken for thinking that this Saturday night’s gig was among their first shows. In between songs, Wiseman captivated with a honeyed, Radio Four narration of Holiday’s turbulent story. Storytelling was split with the brilliantly-named Digby Fairweather. Fairweather also led the band in mastering Holiday’s arrangements.

Wiseman and Fairweather cracked jokes; the rest of the band grinned and championed each other’s solos like they were at Carnegie Hall. Their enjoyment boosted ours.

Discovering that the show featured six of the top British Jazz Award Winning Musicians barely surprised me. Lady Sings the Blues was accomplished –the solos challenged the old masters and Wiseman’s Holiday vocals were uncanny.

Accessible to Holiday buffs and newcomers alike, the show will be a box office success for years to come. 

8/10