Lorna Brooks has a new album out now. Since Life Stood Still is very much about living during the pandemic and afterwards, and every track has a story attached – which Lorna told the audience in her funny direct way at Leith Arches on Thursday.
A packed out crowd were there to hear her, many of whom were friends and fans already, but all of them appreciative of the live versions of the new tracks. This is a polished individual who, even as she said herself, has come a long way since she appeared regularly on the bill at the St James Oyster Bar. She has in the past shared a stage with musicians such as Eric Bibb, Eleanor McEvoy, Shawn Colvin, Iris de Ment and Janis Ian and in the last ten years has worked as a session musician, composer and voice coach – at one time at The City of Edinburgh Music School.
She told the audience the stories behind the songs during the 90 minute set at Leith Arches, but the basic message was to get downstairs afterwards and buy a CD, or vinyl – or better still download the album. She warned against trying to stream her music for free – because Lorna’s “in a grump” about that. She said that when she comes out of her grump you might be able to stream the album – but there is no guarantee. After a long career in music she prefers to be paid for her and her band’s efforts, and who can blame her?
The band is talented and diverse with trumpet, saxophone and trombone, keyboards, violin, bass guitar and drums. Particularly on We Send Ships the wonderful tones of the brass shine through, but Seonaid Aitken with her violin makes other tracks come alive.
Lorna said: “I’m back and sanguine at last. This album has culminated into, I believe, my best work – let the music speak for itself.“
Apparently the band only rehearsed once last weekend before the album launch but even with restarts on a couple of numbers (of course this was intentional..) this is a band who really can hold it together, behind a singer songwriter with a rich, jazzy voice.
On stage with Lorna the band included Althea Stentiford who has sung with Lorna for 20+ years, and old friend Carol Laula who stepped up to sing on stage. Another old friend Horse McDonald was sitting in the front row, the pair obviously still close after a long friendship, and more recently Lorna opened for Horse in Aberdeen in November last year.
This year Lorna will spend her time promoting the album and playing live with the ten piece band or on occasion a more intimate three to four piece. Try not to miss them.
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