SARAH Jane Morris is one of this country’s leading creative forces. She should be cherished, smothered in bubble wrap and preserved, because individuals don’t come along like her very often – someone who is constantly willing to experiment and reinvent themselves in the quest for musical excellence. Principled, always pushing boundaries and a great advocate of live music.
Marking 30 years since first appearing at Ronnie Scott’s in London’s West End, she returned to the iconic venue on Wednesday November 6 with a remarkable album to perform. The Sisterhood comprises songs about 10 female artists who have framed Sarah Jane’s musical journey from band The Republic in the early 1980s, through to the Communards and her long and distinguished solo career.
Albums such as Bloody Rain, Sweet Mystery (The Songs Of John Martyn) and Compared To What (a collaboration with Antonio Forcione) should adorn most record collections. The Sisterhood should join them. It’s a revelation.
The Sisterhood is a work of tender love and utter respect that pays tribute to some of the world’s most iconic female artists: all swashbuckling pioneers who have left big musical footprints in the sands of time.
They are songs that were written with husband Mark Pulsford at their home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex during the country’s second lockdown – and you can feel the love for their subjects underpinning every single one of them.
They have then been brought to musical life with the help of her long-time right hand man Tony Remy, an individual who makes a guitar purr like your favourite cat.
Her chosen ten female artists deliberately span genres and time, starting with Bessie Smith and ending with Kate Bush and Annie Lennox.
The songs are about the women and the battles they often faced to be heard on equal terms – or even at all. The lyrics are always powerful, sometimes emotional.
‘Couldn’t Be Without’, the opening song at Ronnie’s, tells the story of Bessie Smith (the ‘founding sister’) and her massive influence on Blues music.
‘So Much Love’ is about Nina Simone who had the talent to be a classical pianist but made her mark with her remarkable voice and her campaigning for civil rights (‘the people’s queen’).
‘On The Jazz Side Of The Road’, chosen as the album’s first single, describes the free-spirited Rickie Lee Jones who hitch hiked around America at the age 12, enjoyed a brief period of over-the-top hedonism with Tom Waits, and had great success with Chuck E.’s In Love from her 1979 debut album. Sarah Jane’s song is joyous and catchy, enhanced by Remy’s singing guitar.
Other standouts are the title track The Sisterhood (Aretha Franklin) where Jason Rebello excels on piano and the backing vocals of Otis Coulter and Lilybud Dearsley bubble to the fore.
Rimbaud Of Suburbia (Kate Bush) has an ethereal air to it while Greg Heath’s soprano saxophone clarinet adds to Sing Me A Picture (Joni Mitchell). Miss Makeba (Miriam Makeba) brings the thrilling sounds of South Africa to London W1.
The twelve-song set included a taster of The Sisterhood (part two) with the heartbreaking Oh Mother, My Mother – an ode to Sinead O’Conner and the fraught relationship she had with her mother as a child.
It ended with a joyous Take Another Little Piece Of My Heart and the Communards’ Don’t Leave Me This Way.
The Sisterhood is more than music. It’s a passionate reminder of the many female icons who have played their part in shaping our music. It’s why everyone should listen to it – and hone in on the words of every song.
It’s clever and ground-breaking. Judging by the response to the set at Ronnie Scott’s, Sarah Jane Morris has created a defining album. Buy it and see for yourself. You won’t be disappointed.
I went along on Wednesday not really knowing what to expect but ended up having a really great evening.
I agree with the review the songs are really well written, clever, meaningful and strong.
The band were an extremely high standard of musicianship, and Sarah is so warm and engaging delivering material with genuine heart felt courage and commitment, such rare qualities these days.
I have been raving about it all week too anyone who would listen and I will go to see it again and hopefully bring a crowd of girlfriends with me.