CD: YOU TURNED THE TABLES ON ME (Lisaleo 0701): Released August 2012
‘ You Turned The Tables On Me’ Featuring some of the most wonderful jazz standards alongside some of Sophie’s original songs inspired by a lifetime of listening to, performing and teaching jazz standards, their repertoire serves up a delightful combination of new and old songs from the mainstream and modern jazz tradition.
Reviews of CD ‘YOU TURNED THE TABLES ON ME’ (LISALEO 0701)
“It’a not easy to triumph in the exposed setting of bass and voice, but Sophie Bancroft succeeds with aplomb and more. If she’d made a straight melody reading on the opening ‘Doxy’ it would have been enough, but she drives into place all manner of subtle and engaging variations in both lyric and a spirited scat break. She does jazz everywhere too, not precious about her Scottish roots: on the traditional ‘O Can Ye Sew Cushions’ we get blues, not Brit-folk-as-jazz. It’s brave, bright and engaging throughout and much easier to tour than a big band, with no lack of presence.” Jazz Journal, Dec 2012
“Their intriguing new duo album” Alyn Shipton, BBC Radio 3, Oct 2012
“A mixture of standards (Ellington, Jobim, Rodgers and Hammerstein) and self-penned songs, this is a warmly evocative and relaxed set which will please a wide audience. Sophie sings and plays acoustic guitar in a duo with long-time partner Tom Lyne (bass). There isn’t really a duff track – and the subtle guitar and bass backing really enhance the vocals. Standout tracks: Sonny Rollins’ Doxy, Bancroft’s own Just Like the Leaves (especially Tom’s quoting of Autumn Leaves in the intro) and I’ll Love Him Still, and the title-track. Great late-night listening.” Martin Price, FATEA, Oct 2012
“Their performance, imbued with warmth and humour, was delightful” THE HERALD (4 stars)
“Gorgeous, original acoustic music” THE SCOTSMAN
“Brave, bright and engaging throughout and much easier to tour than a big band, with no lack of presence.” JAZZ JOURNAL
“A Scottish singer-songwriter with jazz and folk roots: Over the years she’s drawn comparison to several world-class artists, including Peggy Lee, Alison Krauss and Norah Jones. That sort of information comes as no great surprise once you’ve had the chance to hear Bancroft sing. Her voice is a perfect instrument.” LEICESTER BANGS
“Bancroft’s voice perfectly blending with Lyne’s incredible finger work on both the double bass and bass guitar. Even taking the request for an encore, playing an unrehearsed version of Calgary Bay, Bancroft and Lyne kept their audience entertained throughout the set. The hour flew by, and thanks to the intimate setting, the anecdotes and the warmth of the two performers, it was like an evening with old friends.” BROADWAY BABY (4 stars)
“Sophie Bancroft writes, performs and sings like someone that has been immersed in music all of their lives. Someone that is able to pluck themes and ideas from a number of acoustic genres, folk, blues and even classical and use them to inform a jazz style that is proper listening music.” FATEA
“Sophie does the impossible. She makes jazz accessible and reaches people who wouldn’t normally touch jazz with a barge pole. Elements of Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald.” BIG ISSUE
“Refreshing and utterly magical” THE HERALD
Testimonials
“I just must thank you again for your amazing performance in our Yurt last evening, everyone was thrilled and delighted, you two are such a perfect duo/team…….
I cannot tell you how honoured we feel that you came all this way for just one gig .
We would adore to welcome you back here next year please and I have also to thank you for all your interest and support in our tiny venture. You are both such special people.
All the best, take care and look forward to another date (or dates please).
Kindest
Promoter at Rhythms at the Yurt