Opening review of new jazz club in Northampton, MA

[Lois Gilbert]

Jazz singer transforms 'Hamp club
Friday, June 03, 2005
By DONNIE MOORHOUSE
Music writer


NORTHAMPTON - It was just about midnight on Tuesday when Madeleine Peyroux declared "mission accomplished," during the second of two sold-out shows at the Iron Horse Music Hall.


"This is a jazz club now," the singer announced. "It's so quiet in here."


Quiet, yet charged, thanks to the vocal prowess of Peyroux who wrapped her sultry alto over a variety of jazz, blues, and folk offerings.


Peyroux is touring behind her "Careless Love" release, and follows Norah Jones into the pop-success-via-jazz route with the radio single "Don't Wait Too Long." While Jones was the artist that created the buzz for young jazz singers, Peyroux actually predates the Grammy-diva, having released her debut record "Dreamland" in 1996.


Opening with her cover of Leonard Cohen's "Dance Me to the End of Love," Peyroux set the tone for the evening with a vocal presence that was as vintage sounding as an old vinyl disc.


You could almost hear the pops and hisses as she wound through a jazz repertoire that included "Don't Cry Baby," and the title track from "Careless Love."


She stretched the form with covers of Bob Dylan's "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go," and Elliot Smith's "Between the Bars."


While her hit "Don't Wait Too Long," was instantly recognizable and equally satisfying for the crowd, her rendition of "J'ai Deaux Amours," sung in French, seemed to stall.


Peyroux formed a quartet, playing acoustic guitar with piano, bass, and drum accompaniment. She also called up a pocket trumpet player to add flavor to a couple of songs.


The singer actually outlasted the crowd, as several tables began filing out at the witching hour while Peyroux was still warbling out jazz classics like "Destination Moon," and "This Is Heaven To Me."


After briefly leaving the stage, Peyroux was called back for an encore and offered up "Lonesome Road."


Local artist Sonya Kitchell was stunning in her opening slot, offering a 30 minute set of music. From Billie Holiday's "God Bless the Child," to original offerings like "Clara," Kitchell solidified her reputation as a rising star.


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[JPF]

"New jazz club?". That club has existed for years and has booked jazz for years. I think you were misled by Ms. Peyroux's comment

[Lois Gilbert]

Thanks JPF. I should've read inbetween the lines

Peace
Lois