Personnel
Claire Martin (vocals), Dan James (cello), Sarah Davison (cello), Joe Giddey (cello), Siriol Hugh-Jones (cello), Joe Stilgoe (piano, vocals), Gareth Williams (piano), Jeremy Brown (bass), Laurence Cottle (electric bass), Ben Reynolds (drums)
With the connections borne of twenty-five years in the business Claire has commissioned imaginative new arrangements of songs from an eclectic group of writers including Joni Mitchell, George Gershwin, Thelonius Monk and a new commission written by the Grammy-nominated jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer.
Pianist Joe Stilgoe guests on his own track ‘Lost For Words’ and delivers a distinctive arrangement of Lennon & McCartney’s ‘She’s Leaving Home’. There are also echoes of The Beatles’ ‘Eleanor Rigby’ on a new arrangement of David Bowie’s ‘The Man Who Sold The World’.
Providing stellar backup is Claire’s rhythm section (pianist Gareth Williams, bassist Jeremy Brown and drummer Ben Reynolds), plus, blending their rich tones with Claire’s, The Montpellier Cello Quartet.
From the album opener via Claire’s own hugely catchy arrangement of ‘Catch Me If You Can’ to the wry album closer, a heartfelt tribute to mentor Richard Rodney Bennett, Time and Place sees the singer reclaim her place as The First Lady of British Jazz.
The Arts Desk
‘Onomatopoeic delights and acerbic wit from top-drawer duo.’
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Blogcritics
‘Time and Place is Claire Martin at the top of her game.’
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London Jazz
‘…a wondrous collection of old and new songs…[with] an outstanding band.’
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Audiophile Audition
‘The hallmark of a great Claire Martin album is always the excellent arrangements, and in combination with superb playing and Linn’s magnificent sound,Time & Place does not disappoint – this may be her very best album yet.’
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Choice Magazine
‘An album full of delights and surprises.’
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Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
‘…there’s tons of class throughout Time and Place. Half the intrigue lies in exactly that, the blend of the genteel with the git-down, the acumen in conflating two worlds to come up with a third…’
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Daily Info, Oxford
‘Tonight’s was a programme I wasn’t expecting; nonetheless, I melted into its warm, soothing embrace, and I’ll be dancing in the dark for a few hours yet.’
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Le BabillART
‘Claire Martin créée une infusion de son magique de la musique jazz de chambre à partir d’un groupe éclectique d’auteurs-compositeurs.’
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The Sunday Times
‘She’s Leaving Home is a match for Lennon and McCartney’s original. Martin has never sounded more authoritative.’
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Deep Roots
‘Ms. Martin’s many admirers will not be surprised by the impact she makes with her cool approach, and newcomers to her art will find a reason to believe.’
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BebopSpokenHere
‘Last night at Sage Gateshead was superb and so was Claire, cellos notwithstanding, she gave a professional performance that clarified her position as numero uno.’
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WBGO Radar
‘The cabaret song [Goodbye For Now], performed with just voice and piano, is a fitting tribute to Bennett, and captures Martin’s spirit at its best: she is wistfully clear-eyed and optimistic as only those who have truly lived can be.’
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The Guardian
‘[Claire] has rarely sounded so commanding and moving…’
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Jazz History Online
‘As with all of Martin’s recordings, the audio quality is exceptional…’
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BBC Radio 2 ‘Clare Teal’
‘gorgeous album’
Bop-N-Jazz
‘Claire Martin is that rare vocal artist never afraid to push the lyrical envelope!’
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Jazzwise
‘Time and Place is one of those rare things: an album of standouts…Bennett’s arrangement of album opener ‘My Ship’…is a thing of unfathomable beauty…’
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Mojo
‘British Jazz’s First Lady innately personalises the songs of Kurt Weill, David Bowie, Thelonious Monk, Richard Rodney Bennett and others.’
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About.com
‘Martin’s work here is exemplary: rich, romantic, fervent and classy.’
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All About Jazz
‘Few vocalists are as elegant and eloquent as Claire Martin…she’s one of the crown jewels of the jazz world.’
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