Well, the CMU team is still at the Edinburgh Festival reviewing the 1500 odds shows that take place up here (so far we've seen 1100 of them, which is pretty good going if you ask me). Despite all the busy-ness (fourth issue of the main ThreeWeeks paper goes to press today) we're kinda on time with the CMU Daily, which is a miracle. We do, of course, owe about half of you return emails or phone calls - we'll catch up in Sep, honest.
Meanwhile, here's some Edinburgh Festival music reviews from the ThreeWeeks team - don't forget you can read more reviews at http://www.threeweeks.co.uk and you can hear our daily festival round up through the wonder of internet radio each day at 7pm at http://www.festivalfm.net. Sorted.
Gwyneth Herbert and Band
Underbelly Live
Gwyneth Herbert owns a voice that reminds us that, despite every thing, life is actually a pretty beautiful thing. It is sassy, sad and personal and ranges effortlessly from hushed storytelling to passion licked wails. I last saw Gwyn two years ago with her former partner in crime Will Rutter. What she has gained since then is a confident on-stage presence that makes her a real contender to be the next big revelation in jazz. The covers are nice but more importantly the self-penned songs on display are lyrically honest and melodically delicate. Her supporting band complement her perfectly, allowing her to charm an audience through an hours worth of perfect jazz. This is music to fall in love to. [nc]
Underbelly, 11-13 Aug, 9:30pm (11:30pm), £8.50, fpp102.
tw rating 5/5
Louis de Bernieres
Valvona and Crolla
As Louis de Bernieres sits down with a mandolin, the jokes could be all too easy. But I'll spare you my hilarious puns and simply tell you that this was a show comprising poetry and music, mainly taken from the Renaissance and Medieval periods. He is an experienced musician, and is joined by his two charming assistants, the Antonius Players. The scene is reminiscent of a Jane Austin novel: de Bernieres the benevolent father, inviting us into the drawing room to show off his most accomplished daughters. Though at times his apparently spontaneous comments can feel overly-scripted, he is a welcoming and gracious host, and his love of what he does is apparent in the tales of lovingly rescuing instruments from tiny junk shops. [gs]
Valvona and Crolla, 8 - 12 Aug, times vary, £10.00 (£8.00), fpp 94.
tw rating 4/5
Kim Edgar
The Lot
Kim Edgar's brand of comfortable melancholy absorbs and soothes. This new artist knows her strength lies in her haunting, beautiful voice and she plays the line to full effect., though perhaps a little more variety in style and tempo would have been nice. Her voice draws you in, enticing you to listen. Unfortunately, the lyrics of her own songs are outshone by those of the artists she covers; a performance to make you buy Damien Rice's album rather than hers, then wish it contained her version of 'Cannonball' instead. Whilst simplicity is a quality, she's just playing it all too safe. A talented woman, nonetheless it's time to take some risks. [sg1]
The Lot, 12 and 20 Aug, 7:30pm (9:15pm), £7.00 (£5.00), fpp 95.
tw rating: 4/5
Emiliana Torrini
T on the Fringe
Emiliana Torrini wrote Kylie's song 'Slow', and sung on the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, but her own music inhabits a dreamy world far away from movie epics and manufactured pop. With soft and intimate vocals, she sings of endless summers and moonlit nights. She conjures up whimsical lyrics and melodies which float on the air, slowly seeping into your consciousness. These are handcrafted songs with no artificial additives; feelings and ideas in their original, naked state, quite profound in their simplicity. Each song is minimally developed so that every nuance is given meaning. With a light touch of piano or strings, the music meanders toward its natural conclusion; the audience is won over. An utterly beguiling performance. Just lovely. [ljh]
The Liquid Room, 11Aug, tw rating 5/5.