Laurie Briggs Live
At Gusto
Cookridge, Leeds, U.K.
Laurie Briggs, U.K.'s latest singing sensation, who is keeping American music alive here, sits right at the crossroads where Blues and Jazz intersect. Her music is definitely Blues in its delivery, feeling, subject matter, and the depth of emotion expressed through each song as defined by Maria Muldaur. Briggs is a conversational singer; a storyteller whose passionate accounts of life and love are expressed in a very private way, which makes you think the music was intended for your ears only. She also has a natural rhythm, beautiful phrasing, and an extraordinary sense of timing. Near the end of the stomping version of "Summertime," Briggs squeezed an incredible number of syllables into the metre, but somehow when the line was over she ended up right on the beat. She has the power, the range, and the low register to deliver the bluest Blues. The meticulous attention to each detail of her performance sets Briggs apart from the crowd and makes her a great vocalist, not just a good one.
The two-hour set included R&B classics, like "Route 66" and "Walkin' The Dog," and Jazz standards such as Louis Armstrong's "What A Wonderful World," Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'," and Rodger and Hart's "Blue Moon." However, what makes Briggs unique is the ability to mix these with bluesy versions of ballads like Shirley Bassey's "Never, Never, Never," Doris Day's "I'll String Along With You," and "Mr. Bojangles," which she sings almost as well as Nina Simone. The sensitive, deliberately understated background piano of Wayne Pollock was the perfect platform for Briggs' vocals, which were crystal clear and high at times, but also as soulful as Ella Fitzgerald when the occasion demanded.
Indeed, this chameleon-like quality means that each song sounds as if a different singer is performing it, albeit underpinned by a beautiful voice of consistent quality. The songs were all the more reflective because the arrangements were not too elaborate, but kept refreshingly simple. This in itself is a tough test for solo singers because there is no hiding behind a band of musicians. "Autumn Leaves" typified this approach, with Briggs' elegant, swaying lyrics capturing the mood perfectly. The cool purr of the singer's voice was again in perfect synchronisation with the keyboard melody, the latter brilliantly played by Wayne Pollock. For me though, the sign of a true star is how songs like Diana Krall's "Deed I Do" are handled, and Miss Briggs turned it into a masterpiece as if it was her own creation, delivering it in a truly captivating and dreamy tone.
Not surprisingly, the restaurant and bar were full to the rafters on what would normally be a quiet Sunday night because this gal is sassy, sexy, sultry, cool, and charismatic. Briggs brings life and soul to venues like this nationwide and has been instrumental in reviving Jazz and Blues across Britain and drawing attention to where the roots of this music lie. All credit to the U.K. chain of restaurants Living Ventures where managers like Jeremy Beasley are promoting live music and giving promising artists an opportunity to show their talents. Briggs' next move has got to be across the pond to bring the songs right back to where they belong and to establish herself as a great chanteuse on both sides of the Atlantic.
Laurie has been performing since her teens. A catwalk and photographic model for 15 years,
She also has an impressive TV and stage career including parts in :
Emerdale,
Shoot to Kill,
Coronation Street,
Darling Buds of May,
Band of Gold,
Touch of Frost,
Heartbeat
and Paramount Pictures “Wuthering Heights”
Laurie has also performed as a solo artist all across the UK as well as touring world wide, fronting several bands including a well know ABBA tribute band. She is currently touring with her Carpenters tribute band.
LAURIE BRIGGS @ Est Est Est, Cookridge, Leeds 21/10/07
Laurie Briggs sits right at the crossroads where blues and jazz intersect. Her music is definitely blues in its delivery, feeling, subject matter and the depth of emotion expressed through each song. Laurie is a conversational singer, a storyteller whose passionate accounts of life and love are expressed in a very private way which makes you think the music was intended for your ears only. She also has a natural rhythm, beautiful phrasing and an extraordinary sense of timing. Near the end of the stomping version of ‘Summertime’, Laurie squeezed a dangerous number of syllables into the metre but somehow when the line was over she wound up exactly on the beat. This kind of attention to each small thread of her performance separates great vocalists from good ones. The 2-hour set included R&B classics like ‘Route 66’ and ‘Walkin’ The Dog’, and jazz standards such as ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’ and ‘Blue Moon.’ However, what makes Laurie unique is the ability to mix these with bluesy versions of ballads like Shirley Bassey’s ‘Never, Never, Never’, The Beatles ‘And I Love Her’ and ‘Mr Bojangles’ which she sings better than Nina Simone. The sensitive background piano of Wayne Pollock was the perfect platform for Laurie’s vocals which were crystal clear and high at times but also as soulful as Ella Fitzgerald when the occasion demanded. Above all, the restaurant and bar were full to the rafters on what would normally be a quiet Sunday night because this gal is sassy, sexy, sultry, cool and charismatic. All credit to the manager of Est Est Est in Cookridge, Jeremy Beasley, for bringing live music to north Leeds with class acts like this one as it helps to keep the blues alive. Certainly, the show was appreciated by blues fanatic Steve Halliwell, the actor whose bombastic Emmerdale character Zak Dingle would even have stayed quiet long enough to listen to the very special talent on display. As Steve commented afterwards, ‘Laurie brings life and soul to venues like this and has been instrumental in reviving jazz and blues in Leeds.’ Laurie Briggs can use her forthcoming nationwide tour and new album to establish herself as a tour de force and diva beyond the confines of her native West Yorkshire. She deserves no less.
Dave Scott
Blues Matters UK, Blueswax and Elmore Magazine USA
"Come For A Dream"
Independent - 8/10
The title track of Laurie Briggs' first studio album grabs the listeners immediately and holds them until the last note fades on this phenomenal debut studio CD. Laurie redefines jazz classics and standards such as ‘Wonderful World', ‘Get Happy' and ‘I'll String Along With You', proving that even the most familiar songs bear revisiting when they are re-energised by original interpretations and brilliant arrangements. Briggs' vocals are characterised by clarity, dynamic simplicity and velvety tones but with a range from hushed whispers and intimacy to the high octane, emotive blues of ‘Route 66'. Her excellent musicians contribute to this kaleidoscope of sounds, notably saxophonist Laura Fowles whose light and bouncy instrumentals on songs like ‘Baby Face' complement the light and sensitive fingers of keyboard ace Wayne Pollock who lends varied textures to the grooves. My favourite track is Lennon and McCartney's, ‘And I Love Him' because Laurie breathes life into a great song and makes it more convincing than the original. I would love Macca to hear it. My verdict on this album is Simply Wonderful, confirming the unlimited possibilities for Miss Briggs. It won't take long to feel under the spell of Laurie Briggs' sumptuous voice so make sure you buy Come For A Dream and enter a bygone, nostalgic world of beauty, fantasy and romance.
Hello darling! Love your new track "Summertime". You are sounding fabulous! I'm so proud of you! I'm moving into my new house in a month, plenty of room in this one! Would you to come to relax and bring your mum! Lots of love JJ
erm yes i am ok... i don't know if u might be able to help. oh i don't know :( If you get an A* in Drama, will producers of TV programmes take an interest in you if they find out. im confused xxxxx
Online Now!