Live
Alexander Stewart: Ronnie Scotts 21/11/2010
New singer on the block Alexander Stewart has been garnering some pretty hefty acclaim recently so it was about time I looked into the matter myself and see what all the fuss was about.
Lunch time at Ronnie's was doing a brisk trade in roast dinners and Stewart's suave take on things perfectly complemented the relaxed sunday lunch crowd. This friendly northern lad shows remarkable savvy for making familiar repertoire,his own. His bold breathy tenor is put to good use with a wide ranging set of jazz standards as the crucial framework enabling this sprightly 23 year old to weave his silky slick magic on the unsuspecting masticating customers. This young rising star complete with good looks and "way too smart enough to be in a boy band" persona is a compelling performer natural and instantly likeable. There's no artifice here or paper-thin elegance just artfully crafted music in the shape of originals written with/by gifted pianist and songwriter Alex Webb his man about town MD. Stewart exudes confidence and has a refreshing desire to perform in the top flight and he will in no doubt succeed.
'And I Love Her' the Lennon and McCartney evergreen was given the full foggy crooning treatment as the ballad it was intended to be, the tinkling ivories and plaintive spanish guitar strumming soothed the ear before special guest, the feisty but fun China Moses, whipped up the house with Dinah Washington's 'Fat Daddy' Their rapport was blindingly obvious when they sang together on 'Teach Me Tonight' two different schools merged (to save cuts most probably!) for a very jolly affair.
Stevie Wonder's 'Part Time Lover' was thankfully given a latino overhaul it's not one of Stevie's finest but it worked in this context Alexander's laid-back cool and studied style perfectly suited the enticing arrangement as was his version of 'Love Me Or Leave Me'. It's worth taking special notice of alto sax player Nathanial Facey whose crisp solo reminded me of a young Jackie McClean. Fahey has a raw yet classic and evocative sound that makes him stand out amongst the herd. Gary Crosby studious, conscientious and professor like, generated some remarkable swing on double bass,coupled with the propulsive Andy Chapman on drums. The future looks rosy for the boy. The finale another Lennon and McCartney tune 'Drive My Car' was nigh on a stroke of genius an organic mash up of Tito Puente's 'Oy Ye Como Va' with the classic Beatles song squeezed in I absolutely loved that one! So an engaging performer with a wealth of experience backing him namely his band with a pulse and attack that should propel this talented singer into the mainstream where he belongs. Sparks fly upwards and this new kid on the block is sparky enough to get right up there!
Words Emrys Baird
