Louise Rutkowski with The Roland Perrin Trio - 'Six Songs'
The One You Love
Real Emotional Girl
Love Story (You and Me)
I Don't Want to Hear it Anymore
Rollin'
I'll be Home
Cat No: JOCK CD1
Reviews
Covering other peopleิ๘ิ๘ิ๘s songs is a tricky business, particularly when the songwriter in question is maverick American rogue Randy Newman. Reproducing his ironic, idiosyncratic material is a challenge, but Rutkowski rises to these tales of misfits, loneliness, sex and desperation with skill and wit. Her smokey, assured delivery and way with a sardonic lyric at times echo acclaimed Canadian chanteuse Holly Cole ิ๘ิ๘ิ๘ but as she proved during her time with This Mortal Coil, Rutkowski has a sound and style that are uniquely her own. Her mature, polished vocals lend themselves perfectly to the theatrical feel of The One You Love, and are just about strong enough to mimic the masculine voice of Real Emotional Girl. Bittersweet, and all the better for it.
Review of 6 Songs CD by Holly Dearden of Attitude magazine
Tackling the Randy Newman songbook is like being a football manager with a full squad available: itิ๘ิ๘ิ๘s knowing which ones to leave out. Former This Mortal Coil singer Louise Rutkowski can rest a whole forward line of strikers, including Mama Told Me Not to Come, in favour of her own selection and still field a winning side.
This show is the epitome of good judgement. Rutkowski sings beautifully, clearly and with feeling but without ostentation, covering Newmanisms from Simon Smith through Short People to Toy Story and onwards. Her accompanists, pianist Roland Perrin and one-man orchestra Gerry Hunt, apply a similarly light touch to create the perfect backdrop for short stories that have atmosphere, plenty of humour, and on the remorseful Marie, the kind of aching poignancy that only Newman and a class singer can achieve.
Short Stories ิ๘ิ๘ิ๘ live performance at Edinburgh Festival 2001
by Rob Adams
