GEORGIA VAN ETTE AT THE ARTSCLUB BRIDGE STREET
Georgia van Ette was just the ticket for Cambridge’s new music venue The Arts Club, tucked in behind Bridge Street. Here was a performer with masses of oomph, loads to give and a backing line up who exuded pure musicianship. Do not be daunted by the mildly corporate entrance, inside the club it was reassuringly dark minimally lit around some round tables. Plenty of space. Or there was until the entire filled up as packed as Ronnie Scott’s and the vibe got going.
Georgia is a well- disguised Aussie who fled Gelong at the age of 18 with nothing more than a mini -valise and a fabulous voice, to begin her future in Blighty. Did she know she had trod a well -worn path to Cambridge behind Germaine Greer, art dynamic Robert Hughes and of course the fabulous and much-lamented Clive James?.
Last night she showed us what talent the New Country still has to offer. Gorgeous, accomplished with a fabulous on-stage presence, Georgia is nothing if not gracious. She thanked her warm-up act Sean O’ Halloran who’d given us a softly lyrical Leonard Cohen -inspired guitar and duo set full of muted musical originality – and then rocked into a loud joyous original rock collective.
On stage Georgia looks amazing in her ankle length diaphanous gown. She is the spirit of composure and style. But the voice is the most powerful nuanced and exuberant. In the steps of her admired idols she evokes Joni Mitchell, Nina and quite often, Ella herself. Her music is her own composition, but she freely channels the Stones’ (Give me Shelter) and wonderfully Fleetwood Mac ‘s (Thunder only happens when its raining). This brightly coloured mélange of fresh from the page creativity and a faithful link to the greats is a very attractive line up. Especially when flanked by some awesome timpani, brilliant guitars and a keyboard or were there two? Played by some clever veterans of the art of backing. There were a few solos from the band, heavenly stuff, but our part wanted more scope for them. Still Georgia varied the offering with some soulful sounds of her own past life “ This is for my ex-husband, its called “A Good Man’ – that’s ironic btw” by the end of the gig Georgia’s fabulous swing style and lovely voice had everyone joining in . We left the new Arts Club with a spring in the step – next time dancing? You never know.
