Obituary: Gery Scott - Lives in Brief - The Times

Edition 1WCMON, 13 FEB 2006, Page 55

Gery Scott;Lives in brief;Obituary;The Register

FEATURES

Gery Scott, jazz and cabaret singer, was born on October 5, 1923. She died on December 14, 2005, aged 82.

Although Gery Scott became well-known to British audiences during the latter part of the Second World War, when she sang regularly at the BBC with Harry Gold’s Pieces of Eight, and the band led by guitarist Vic Lewis, she achieved most of her fame outside the UK.

Born Dianne Geraldine Whitburn in Bombay, she first recorded in Calcutta for the Indian branch of Columbia before coming to England in 1943. After the war she made headlines in the former Eastern bloc. Signed to the Supraphon label in Czechoslovakia, she sold several million records in the communist world throughout the 1950s, with bands led by local arranger Gustav Brom, and by her second husband, Igo Fischer. She toured the Soviet Union and was invited to sing the jazz anthem, How High the Moon, at the Kiev Opera House to celebrate the launch of Sputnik 1.

Scott moved to London in the early 1960s, where George Martin signed her to Parlophone. In 1980 she decided to settle in Australia, where she remained after the murder of her third husband, the oil magnate Tony Diamond. Her final appearances were in Canberra in October last year.

First published in The Times, February 13, 2006

Album Review: WHAT WAS LEFT - CLARE BOWDITCH AND THE FEEDING SET, EMI 094634071826, Reviewed by Tony Magee

Clare Bowditch possesses a wistful, wandering voice, full of interesting textures and colour. All the material on this album is original, composed by Clare herself. She searches very deeply indeed amongst subjects so varied, but all within the great framework of life’s ups and downs, difficulties, sadnesses and joys, loves and losses and so much more.

The lyrics, which are also reproduced in the booklet, are written more as rambling stories without metre or rhyme. The fascination is then listening to how Clare has written the music to capture the words, which as I say are often in a very unordered fashion. It’s different to most traditional forms of song-writing and in that regard reminds me of the Beatles in their later years. Very, very creative, unusual, non-conformist and gripping to listen to.

The musical arrangements and backings are excellent. Clare’s band is full of energy and drive when required. At other times it’s just the gentleness of acoustic guitar. Drummer Marty Brown has a great sound – broad, expansive and full of depth, without bashing. He also doubles on piano, pump organ, violin-zither, electric guitar, saron and something called “phantom Vietnamese instrument” – whatever that is.

The band plays together with such a relaxed feel - they obviously all know each other musically very well and can fit things together seamlessly. Backing vocals and harmonies are also beautifully done.

In summary, I think this is one of the best Australian albums to come out in years. Clare and all the musicians are major talents. Her talents as a songwriter are captivating. Most importantly, this is a new sound. I’m on my fourth listen now and I can’t turn it off. Go get it.

Tony’s rating: 4 stars

First published in Eat Drink Magazine, Feb 2006 and Australian Hotels Association Magazine Feb 2006