Listen & tracks

2 of 22 tracks have a preview · 11 works

1 Longing Laurie Lewis
2 A Sense of Wonder Laurie Lewis
3 Not My Type Laurie Lewis
4 Summer In Seattle Laurie Lewis
5 Don't Ask Laurie Lewis
6 It's On Again Laurie Lewis
7 Butterfly Wings Laurie Lewis
8 Rather Than Love Laurie Lewis
9 Frangipani Laurie Lewis
10 Waltz for Spring Laurie Lewis
11 Company of Strangers Laurie Lewis

After several years of musical involvement in television, radio and film, Alwyn and Laurie Lewis have decided to change direction and concentrate on songwriting. The resulting CD has been an outstanding success. This originally independent recording is now distributed by Move Records.

There are 11 new numbers from the song writing team of Alwyn and Laurie Lewis, all charmingly performed by newcomer Heather Stewart.

The Laurie Lewis Quintet is made up of Laurie Lewis – tenor saxophone, Mark Fitzgibbon – piano, Doug de Vries – guitar, Geoff Kluke – bass, and on this album Rajiv Jayaweera and Ben VanderWal share the drumming.

They are joined on selected tracks by guests Roger Clark – alto saxophone, Joe Ruberto – accordion, Imogen Manins – cello, and Laura Uhe – castanets.

Reviews

Eleven tunes on this album and all are composed by Laurie Lewis who also plays tenor. The lyrics by Alwyn Lewis carry a strong message. These songs are not the usual fare one hears on 'original' material these days. A sense of wonder is indeed prevalent at the magical arrangements that are quality works of art.

"Longing" is a ballad sweetly sung by Heather Stewart with a soulful tenor solo by Lewis.

"It's On Again" is the highlight of this album. The arrangement is superb and Heather Stewart scats brilliantly (and properly). Mark Fitzgibbon at the piano swings to the maximum. Stewart owns this number and joyfully expresses that fact in her vocalization. This is bop from the top to the bottom. It gets no better than this.

"Company Of Strangers" is a blues with chanson noir lyrics. Heather Stewart shows another side of her artistry with passion and a hint of swagger.

The Lewis' have penned some gems in this fine recording and with the addition of Stewart it becomes a superlative effort. Heather Stewart sings in tune with clarity and clear articulation making this a heady musical libation indeed. ★★★★★

— John Gilbert, ejazznews.com

Artists

The Laurie Lewis Quintet

ensemble

Heather Stewart

vocals

Laurie Lewis

composer

After a successful start in the jazz world of Wellington N.Z. as arranger and saxophonist Laurie was Musical Director of WNTV-1 before relocating to Sydney where he became Musical Director for the Reg Livermore Show, The Norman Gunston Show and many others on ABC-TV.