Barb Jungr
Album: Stockport To Memphis
Label: Naim Jazz
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.barbjungr.com

As a vocalist, Barb Jungr is difficult to classify. Variously described as a chansonniere, a cabaret singer, a musical theatre lyricist and composer, a jazz and blues singer, on this album she also reveals herself as a soul diva, soft-gospel singer and mean player of the blues harp! This is not a jazz album - but her singing style is invariably coloured by jazz intonation, improvised phrasing and effortless note bending, as she sings her way through a set of soul, rock and country standards and self-penned songs. The tunes are given coherence by the album's autobiographical thread, as Jungr takes a "metaphorical journey" from her Cheshire birthplace to Memphis (where she has never actually been, but which was the source of her teenage musical influences!). Her own five compositions provide the bones of this journey, whilst the covers add flesh and colour to the tale.

Barb's singing style is very English, with a clear intonation and precise diction, which means that sometimes she sounds rather prim and soulless, especially on Sam Cooke's 'Change is Gonna Come' or Joni Mitchell's 'River' (think Joan Biaz singing soul!). But don't let this put you off - Jungr's readings of these and other songs reveal depths of meaning and emotion that other versions of these tunes often submerge in production! Jungr's vocal range is considerable; though she may be losing some of the top end with age, and struggles with the low notes on 'S(he's) Not There', she deploys her vocal skills with enormous effect. Mike Scott's 'Fisherman Blues' is given a warm-toned and soulful treatment, with excellent piano from producer Simon Wallace. Barb's own 'Till My Broken Heart Begins to Mend' is a bluesy pop tune complete with swirling organ, gutsy harmonica, pizzicato strings and a sixties-style backing group. Hank William's 'Lost on the River' becomes a gently gospel solo with just piano accompaniment. It is followed by an equally soul-inspired arrangement of Tom Waits' 'Way Down in the Hole', which plays the song as a soft, jazzy gospel number with just piano and mallets on drums. This forms the rather sombre and low-key climax of Barb's journey, and forms an interesting contrast with the sixties R'n'b of the opening title track, making the whole story of this album even more poignant and thought-provoking.

Overall, then, this is an intriguing and frequently engaging album, with stand out tracks being Neil Young's 'Old Man', 'River' and Jungr's own 'Urban Fox' and 'Till My Broken Heart ….'. With the understated and sensitive arrangements and brilliant use of the soul/jazz vocal backing trio of Mari Wilson, Ian Shaw and Sarah Moule, this is a class recording, which will appeal to all fans of straight vocal style.

Martin Price