Gscene News Archive

Perhaps best known for the brilliant, Spectoresque 'Yes', David McAlmont is equally at home with jazz standards and torch songs from the '40s. At a crowded St Andrew's he played a set which was based around the work of Harold Arlen, the writer of - amongst others - The Man That Got Away, It's Only a Paper Moon and Stormy Weather.

McAlmont has an incredible vocal range, but technical perfection will only take you so far. He also has the ability to get to the heart of a song, its emotional core, and make every sentiment ring true. I suppose for me the true test of a singer is whether they can get me to cry sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow - a test he passed with flying colours. Despite going through a large number of classics, I'd say the highlight of the evening was his self-composed Who Loves You from his debut solo album A Little Communication. On the cry-o-meter it scored almost as much as the Judy Garland number.

He was accompanied by Natasha Panas, an accomplished pianist and singer in her own right. She was allowed one song, the Laura Nyro-esque Moth to the Flame which on first acquaintance is certainly a powerful number - and she can certainly belt out a song. My only criticism would be to for them to take Panas' own advice and to 'work on the double-act' - a Liza Minelli-style set of carefully rehearsed ad libs might have been preferable to the occasionally confusing bits of banter which broke the songs up. A mere quibble, as this was a near-perfect evening of great music.

David McAlmont will be playing the Jazz Cafe, Camden
June 14 (tickets 0844 847 2514)