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Ross Lorraine: More From The Heart

By Neil Duggan
July 30, 2024
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A jazz pianist, arranger, theatre music composer and contributor to numerous other projects,

Ross Lorraine

composer / conductor

" data-original-title="" title="">Ross Lorraine now seems to have found his true calling as a songwriter. More From The Heart follows on from his songwriting debut on Heart of Mine (self produced, 2022) and follows a similar approach. After penning the lyrics and melody, Lorraine steps aside and a variety of top-class vocalists perform his compositions, together with a cracking band that elevates the songs and brings them to life.

With a background that includes a PhD in composition, working with contemporary classical composer Sir Harrison Birtwistle, playing improvised and experimental music, writing several modern tangos, playing jazz piano and a song-writing partnership with

Melissa James

" data-original-title="" title="">Melissa James, Lorraine has a wide array of skills to help hone his compositions. There are 12 songs on the album, two each for the six vocalists. While the songs are predominantly jazz-flavoured, the styles vary and include pop and show-style songs.

The album opens with the strongly emotional "Down On My Knees," brilliantly sung by

Joanna Eden

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Joanna Eden. It builds soulfully with lyrics that unfold naturally over great musical contributions, notably from guitarist

Mike Walker

guitar, electric
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Walker. Eden is equally good on the ballad "After You." Drummer

Ian Thomas

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Ian Thomas' sensitive brushwork,

Nikki Iles

piano
- 2012

" data-original-title="" title="">Nikki Iles' piano and

Laurence Cottle

bass
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Laurence Cottle's bass are all perfectly judged, helping Eden to bring the most out of the song.

Christine Tobin

vocals
b.1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Christine Tobin's voice and warm tone immediately attract attention in the gentle "Sleep My Darling," while Iles and Cottle, alongside cellist

Joe Giddey

cello

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Giddey, ensure every note is exactly where it needs to be. Despite an overly economical 2:41 length, "Finding Our Feet" is one of the many album highlights, Tobin's voice again sails above the melody as the lyric finds new hope in old age, with

Claire Martin

vocals
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Claire Martin's brief backing vocals adding much drama.

Lorraine also has an ironic take on relationships,

Iain MacKenzie

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Iain MacKenzie's classy vocal delivers the pithy lyrics on "What You Got."

Irene Serra

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Irene Serra delights in being the perfect vocal match for the storytelling nature of "He Said She Said" and "You Never Knew Me." While

Charlie Wood - UK

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Wood - UK brings a laidback and soulful feel to "Downtime," deftly complimented by

James McMillan

flugelhorn

" data-original-title="" title="">James McMillan's sassy trumpet.

Another age-related song and another highlight. "Scissors Paper Stone," sung by

Noemi Nuti

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Noemi Nuti and enhanced by Iles' neat piano, is a melancholy, but catchy, show-style tune that ends with the line "Love is all that's left when it's over." Nuti's passionate vocals also pull on the emotions with the eloquent lyrics of "After All." Elsewhere, Wood, supported by Walker's guitar, gives an elegant and polished performance on "Human Kindness" and MacKenzie makes the most of "Dear Betty."

There may be a range of vocalists, but they all give first-rate performances that are in service of the song, without resorting to vocal gymnastics or affectations. The band makes the perfect foil with well-crafted arrangements that add light and shade where needed. Lorraine writes well-crafted lyrics that, mostly in around three and a half minutes per song, steer clear of happy endings and clich��s in favour of focusing on real-life emotions. These imaginative, jazz-centric interpretations of Lorraine's accomplished compositions provide the ideal platform for his talent and ought to please those who appreciate timeless songwriting, exquisitely performed.

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Track Listing

Down On My Knees; What You Got; After You; Human Kindness; He Said She Said; Scissors Paper Stone; Sleep My Darling; You Never Knew Me; Downtime; Finding Our Feet; Dear Betty; After All.

Personnel

Ross Lorraine

composer / conductor

Nikki Iles

piano

Mike Walker

guitar, electric

Laurence Cottle

bass

Ian Thomas

drums

Joe Giddey

cello

James McMillan

flugelhorn

Claire Martin

vocals

Iain MacKenzie

vocals

Irene Serra

vocals

Christine Tobin

vocals

Joanna Eden

vocals

Noemi Nuti

vocals

Charlie Wood - UK

vocals

Additional Instrumentation

Joe Giddey: cello (6-7); Noemi Nuti: vocals (6,12); Joanna Eden: vocals (1,3); Iain MacKenzie: vocals (2,11); Charlie Wood: vocals (4,9); Irene Serra: vocals (5,8); Christine Tobin: vocals (7,10).

Album information

Title: More From The Heart | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Self Produced

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