RUTH HAMMOND: All the Good Things

Ruth Hammond

All the Good Things

© 2001 Ruth Hammond (634479245329)

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This debut CD from Ruth is full of warmth and soulful simplicity. There is an understated funkiness in her style as a vocalist, songwriter and musician.

tracks

1 School's out
2 Itchy feet
3 Living your love
4 Another day gone
5 More than sport
6 Human condition
7 St Clears
8 Only so many ways
9 All the good things

notes

"Her playing was sumptuously beautiful... she moved me."
Jack Massarik (Jazz Critic London Evening Standard)

"Her playing was very passionate"
Jonathan Abbott (Editor - Jazz Express UK)

"She rocked!"
Jools Holland (Pianist, TV presenter)

"Wonderfully talented."
Julian Joseph (Jazz Pianist, Radio 3 presenter)

This debut CD from Ruth is full of warmth and soulful simplicity. There is an understated funkiness in her style as a vocalist, songwriter and musician.

As an accomplished jazz player, she was voted runner-up in the national UK competition 'Young Jazz Musician of the Year 1998'.

She went on to work extensively with the internationally successful pop group 'Morcheeba', touring and recording on their latest album - due for release in 2002.

'All the Good Things' (Tenterhook Records) features nine songs that show Ruth's craftsmanship in blending pop, jazz and funk in her own inimitable style.

She has drawn her inspiration from artists such as Steely Dan, Stevie Wonder, Sheryl Crowe, James Taylor, Rickie Lee Jones, Frank McCombe, Donnie Hathaway, Sting, Eva Cassidy and others, too numerous to mention.


Ruth Hammond - Lead vocals, Fender Rhodes, Hammond organ, tenor saxophone
James Pusey - Acoustic/electric guitars, sitar
Greig Robinson - Bass
Scott Hammond - Drums
Deborah-Grace Bensberg - Backing vocals
Catherine Sykes - Backing vocals
Sophia Muirhead - Backing vocals
Pete Eckford - Percussion
Debbie Cole - Flute

reviews

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  • author: Gary Alesbrook

    an excellent, ecclectic mix of tunes that carry a weight of intelligence and musicianship not found in this kind of music before.

  • Soulful album with great playing and singing throughout.
    author: James Forster

    Soulful album with great playing and singing throughout. Has many feels but always grooves. Dig that dirty rhodes on itchy feet. Favourite track - St.Clears.

  • this is a great album of superbly crafted songs and excellent musicanship.
    author: dave betts

    This CD is a beautifuly recorded collection of intimate, soulful songs. It ranges from very groovy (schools out,itchy feet)to top quality pop (living your love) and then on to atmospheric and reflective (All the good things). Great songs, great playing, great drum sound - buy it! Dave Betts

  • Great production!
    author: Luna Kafe

    The sound quality of this album is very good, the production is sparse but exquisite - my stereo seldom sounded so good!

  • Some of her songwriting reaches towards uplifting gospel, such as the highlight
    author: Straight No Chaser Magazine

    Straight No Chaser Magazine (www.straightnochaser.co.uk) Summer 2002 edition HAMMOND POWER A new voice from the west country with home grown grooves and a down to earth perspective. The sax isn't enough for Ruth Hammond, after coming runner up in the 1998 Young Jazz Musician of the year and touring the world as a session player she has put her horn aside to play her name sake (the organ) and sing over her own groove. Ruth's warm laid back personality comes across on every self crafted song on her debut album 'All the good things'. Some of her songwriting reaches towards uplifting gospel, such as the highlight of the album 'Another Day Gone'. For the most part her music is tight, home baked funk from the heartlands of Bristol. It's a personal effort - she recorded it and put it out herself on Tenterhook Records - and the authenticity of the music makes it fresh.

  • This CD contains more than you think when you first hear it.
    author: Chris Mann

    School’s Out has a very measured, bluesy sound which features Ruth Hammond’s lazy keyboards and even lazier vocals. Her delivery is smoky and the electronic effect applied during the chorus sections can’t take away from that. The 70’s rhythm guitar and in-your-face funky bass of Itchy Feet made me smile. That busy backing and the nonchalant vocal delivery made me think of Swing Out Sister. The insane electric piano, however, is totally original. Living Your Love is more mellow and thoughtful and the vocal on this song is a joy. It’s hard not to think of classic singer/songwriters such as Carole King, Joni Mitchell and Judie Tzuke. Superb backing vocals too. Pop with a jazz tinge has worked for years – and never better than here. Ruth takes an old skool twisty bassline and Brass Construction rhythm guitar, slows it all down and preaches a very thought-provoking sermon while her backing singers get all “gospel”. Listen to the lyric on Another Day Gone – strong message – strong song. You’re more likely to remember the electric piano than the vocal on More than Sport – it’s well up in the mix and the riff is very repetitive. In the chorus the energy goes up a notch and this song gets better with repeated listenings. Human Condition is a very soulful tune, with a slow, strutting rhythm and that smoky Hammond organ sound. The backing vocals are very strong but the message in Ruth’s lyrics comes through unhindered. By now, you’ll have realised what a versatile drummer Scott Hammond is! There’s a sweet fade into St Clears. Stop thinking about categories and just enjoy a strong original ballad, well written, tastefully produced and performed with feeling. The sax solo (from Ruth herself) is enough and no more – the song’s the star though. I think this is my favourite. I’m getting into this offhand vocal delivery. Don’t know why but Steely Dan popped into my head listening to Only So Many Ways. They are one of the bands Ruth Hammond was inspired by. The organ is more to the fore – and I like it. It’s one of the trendiest instruments around. Er, where’d that sitar come from? The title track is whispered more than sung and it’s a very dreamy piece. The vocal and gauzy Rhodes are placed in a big, airy soundscape and the light cymbal work adds to the trance-like quality of the song. I liked the inspirational words “your dark moments are not how you’re defined…”. It’s best to listen to this song on your own, with some tissues to hand. It’s emotional stuff. It’s hard to know how to sum up. I’ll start by saying I really enjoy listening to this CD – present tense, I didn’t just listen to it once. That’s the message really: this CD contains more than you think when you first hear it – more lyrical depth, more musical confidence and more original talent, despite the fact that certain influences are apparent. If you have a friend who owns this CD, make sure you go and see them soon – and take a good bottle of wine…

  • A fantastic debut.
    author: Rag Frambody.

    A simply beautiful album. Great grooves, wonderful playing, brave, honest lyrics and I love the way she sings without any affectation. Although the roots obviously lie in 70s soul/funk this album doesn't rip anything off like so many "retro" bands have been known to do, and it still has a great modern feel. A fantastic debut.

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