JAZZ
Gian Slater and Barney McAll: Uncover ★★★★
The Jazzlab, June 24
Gian Slater and Barney McAll are both unique musical stylists with a very personal, distinctive sound. As artists, they have each honed their creative approach over many years, focusing on original compositions that reflect and enhance their musical identities.
Gian Slater’s exquisite voice harnessed the poetry and eloquence of each lyric.Credit: Madeline Bishop
It’s rare to hear either of them performing jazz standards – which is why their latest project is so intriguing. As the name “Uncover” suggests, their aim with this band is to unearth, or uncover, lesser-known standards from decades past. It’s a cover band that plays covers of tunes you’ve never heard of.
At Jazzlab on Monday night, the pair introduced us to songs from obscure musicals and half-forgotten films, and delved into the back catalogues of some of their favourite jazz singers and composers. Their aim was not to twist these songs into boldly contemporary shapes, but to highlight their beauty and make you wonder why they’re not better known.
Slater and McAll are both technically brilliant musicians, but in this setting the emphasis was on subtlety and understatement. Slater’s exquisite voice harnessed the poetry and eloquence of each lyric, alighting on words and phrases with effortless grace and clarity. Her scatting allowed her to dart and glide expressively, without diluting the emotional essence of each tune.
Pianist Barney McAll shepherded the melodies and harmonies with deep sensitivity and restraint.Credit: Jenn Gavito
Likewise, at the piano, McAll eschewed any hint of flashiness, carefully shepherding the melodies and harmonies with deep sensitivity and restraint. Bassist Ben Hanlon and drummer Danny Fischer were also marvellously subtle in their accompaniment, shorn of any unnecessary embellishment. Most pieces were pinned to slow or unhurried tempos, though one song (By Myself) had the band conjure a more dynamic mood, propelled by McAll’s plunging chords and exuberant soloing.
The concert closed with an intimate duet by Slater and McAll, underlining the profound rapport between these two remarkable artists with a shared love of neglected musical treasures.
Reviewed by Jessica Nicholas
The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from books editor Jason Steger. Get it every Friday.
