Lisa Young
Bennetts Lane
30 June
What is the definition of “grace”? One answer, perhaps, is the serenity that comes with self-acceptance. It’s a strongly appealing quality, and one that Lisa Young clearly embodies when she sings. It’s also the title of her most recent CD, which won this year’s Bell Award for Best Jazz Vocal Album.
In many ways, Grace reflects the sum of Young’s journey in life thus far – both musically and personally. Several songs reflect the satisfaction of finally knowing and accepting oneself, as in Love After Love (which opens with the lyric: The time will come when, with elation, you will greet yourself arriving at your own door).
On Saturday night, Young greeted a large crowd at Bennetts Lane and welcomed them warmly, offering two memorable sets with her quartet. Regular guitarist Steve Magnusson had injured his hand, so Geoff Hughes was called in at short notice to fill the guitar role. He did an admirable job in a difficult situation, negotiating Young’s all-original repertoire and intricate arrangements with dexterity and poise.
Only about half Young’s songs come with lyrics attached. Of these, Saturday’s highlights included the aforementioned Love After Love and the exquisite Unity (performed as a heartfelt duet with acoustic bassist Ben Robertson).
Read the full review on The Age website.
