REVIEWS

Kerry Hodgkin Trio - Good Morning Heartache

Demo Track 2004

If this was food, it would be freshly picked, still smelling of the earth, it would be bright in colour, and would, once you'd lavished care and attention in preparing it, simply melt in the mouth. This is the kind of music to truly relax to - you'll feel your body becoming limper with each phrase, as the song becomes your dream. Gorgeously supple vocals, piano and double bass to drift off into. Mine's a Martini.

Lemonrock MP3 of the week review, March 2007

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Kerry Hodgkin Duo at The White Horse

Mon 5th Dec 05

Just great - I had the pleasure of seeing Kerry and Nick [Page] perform at The White Horse in Bedford last night. Their repertoire is a smokey jazz blend of covers done in their original style. Kerry has a wonderful bluesy voice with a great range that is delivered dynamically, and Nick provides brilliant and accomplished accompaniment. Together they gel really well and I would urge you to see them. Well done.

Molly Gower, Lemonrock, 6th Dec 05

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Kerry Hodgkin Trio at The Royal Bengal

Mon 21st Nov 05

We saw Kerry performing at the anniversary party of a local restaurant recently, and were so impressed we booked her for the Black Cat there and then. 

Paul Shaddick of Black Cat Jazz Club, November 2005

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"...and everything"
33 Records 33WM121

"Hodgkin studied at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama.  Early showbiz experiences included a role in a police training video, dancing at a Birmingham nightclub and singing and dancing on a Sealink ferry.  She subsequently did session work, including on Denim's Denim On Ice and The Serious Sound Syndicate's The Sounds of Being.  She also appeared on the James Whale Show.  Artists must pay their dues, but surely there's a limit to the suffering any human being should have to endure.

More recently life has been kinder, and so has the Prince's Trust, which helped her set up a business to promote her music.  And then, 33 released this album.  Hodgkin displays an ample stylistic range, and a not-unimpressive vocal range too.  What really impresses though, is the controlled, accomplished demeanour with which she tackles material as various and unexpected as Lieber and Stoller's "Love Potion No. 9", Cole Porter's "Love For Sale", Peggy Lee's "He's A Tramp", Bill Withers' "Ain't No Sunshine" and Carole King's gospel-flavoured "Way Over Yonder".  Maybe it's all that drama training, but she sings with what sounds like real conviction, a refreshing change from the mannered, contrived histrionics that currently dominate the popular music scene and sometimes infect jazz and blues too.

There are times when she recalls Eva Cassidy and even - incontinent praise indeed - Sheila Jordan.  Ms Hodgkin evidently owns a copy of the Blue Note classic Portrait of Sheila: just hear the way she does those crescendi and diminuendi in the space of short note-values, and notice Metz's scurrying brushwork and the unexpectedly snappy tempo on the brief version of "Love For Sale". (Was the quartet really in the next room for this track?)  Notice, too, Smith's economical yet wholly supportive accompaniment, playing Galbraith to Hodgkin's Jordan.  On the surprisingly effective "Ain't No Sunshine" his solo is as much a model of restraint, of saying just what needs to be said, as his comping, and on "Hurry Make Love" he delivers some admirable Lightnin' licks.

Overall the effect is of promise maturing, and it'll be interesting to see how Hodgkin develops."

Barry Witherden in JazzReview Issue 32/May 2002

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Londoner Kerry Hodgkin trained for an acting profession and plied that trade for awhile. In 1994 she hooked up with the Spirellas, a four part all-female a cappella group, performing various styles including soul and jazz. Since then she has been concentrating on her singing specialty.

The British label 33 Jazz has released this, her debut vocal album, which contains a spicy variety of standards, contemporary tunes with a blues/soul inflection, and just some rollicking, "let's have some fun" swinging stuff, both contemporary and from the past, such as a cover of "Love Potion No. 9," a big hit for the Clovers back in 1959.

Hodgkin's drama training does her in good stead, especially on those tunes which require conviction to make the music work. This ability comes through on such tunes as "Don't Explain." She has wide range and a voice that has more than an ordinary amount of muscle. But she also has the ability to control its use and adapt it to the tune she's singing at the time. "Miss Celie's Blues" is a good example of the application of this facility. Hodgkin's approach to this tune is somewhat more coquettish than one usually hears.

Since 1999, Hodgkin has struck up a working relationship with guitarist Ben Smith, who is highly visible on this album. His twangy blues guitar is a perfect foil for Hodgkin's impassioned reading of "Hurry Make Love." And the blues dominate on an emotional statement of fact recitation on "Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You."

If ...And Everything is going to be the standard for this singer's future releases, then there's lots of good stuff to look forward to.

Dave Nathan, All Music Guide

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"One of the tracks on Kerry's album is a self-penned number called 'This Lady Blue'.   It's an atmospheric blues song that really draws you in - not least because the lyrics are hard hitting.   This 'lady' sure means business!   Speaking of which - the enterprising Ms Hodgkin has set up her own music company, called, appropriately enough, Lady Blue.

Kerry is no stranger to soulful material.   She sings rhythm & blues tracks like 'Ain't No Sunshine' and 'Love Potion Number 9' with power and conviction.   But she can also cool things down with jazz standards such as Billie Holiday's, 'Don't Explain'.

Tatty [Bogle Club] favourite, James Pearson, is among the fine musicians accompanying Kerry on her album.   The CD has already received radio plays and excellent reviews.   For more details of Kerry's musical background, forthcoming gigs and to purchase '...and everything' log onto her comprehensive website: http://www.ladyb.freeserve.co.uk/cd.html"

Gill Goldman, Singer's Night Newsletter, October 2002

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Ben & Kerry at Liz-Ed's
Sunday 1st June 2003
 

" Pure vocals and an extremely good guitarist make up this talented jazzy duo.   Ben is a great jazz guitarist, and those familiar with the jam nights will know Kerry....

Suffice to say that a small gathering were well entertained by Kerry's lovely voice....   Ben complimenting with those chords that you only hear occasionally, and joining in with backing vocals as needed.

King Of The Road, Summertime, Ain't No Sunshine ...   I wasn't noting the set, but, believe me, it was really great Sunday afternoon chillin'-out stuff.   Look out for their next appearance!   I'll certainly be there."

Rob Vernon, The Bedford Bands Website