BLINQ
Brendan Reilly, Liane Carroll, Ian Shaw, Natalie Williams, Gwilym Simcock
"No ifs, no buts about this one. The debut of vocal supergroup BLINQ, on the glorious 12th goes straight up there as one of my gigs of the year".
World Premiere at Ronnie Scott's, August 12th 2011, part of Britjazz Festival.Review by Sebastian Scotney
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The debut of BLINQ at Ronnie Scott's last August was one of my gigs of the year. So, for the sheer pleasure of hearing them again, I've just driven down the A3 to Petersfield and heard their second outing. No regrets. Only joy. For sheer exuberance, entertainment, collective madness, impromptu harmonizing.... this group (Natalie Williams, Liane Carroll, Brendan Reilly, Ian Shaw, Gwilym Simcock) may have its equals, but it certainly won't be beaten. They're fabulous. And already, from gig 1 to gig 2 the repertoire has expanded.
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BLINQ is a new vocal supergroup featuring the cream of British voaclists with the brilliant pianist, arranger and composer Gwilym Simcock. At their launch gig at Ronnie Scott's during the London Jazz Festival they blew the audience away with their dazzling four part harmonies of tunes like Jaco Pastorius' "Liberty City" and a great new tune by Tom Cawley and Natalie Williams "The Good Old Days" about the world as it was before mobile phones. Simcock's arrangements dazzle and his percussive fluent piano work are the perfect accompaniment. All singers lead at times and blend perfectly. But the concert format is not just virtuosic four part harmony. Each singer takes a turn to sing a number solo with the piano and on occasion a duet. Ian Shaw takes over the piano stool at times to sing a duet with Liane.
The performance is simply irresistable. at times quite thrilling and at moments incredibly poignant.
This is a band NOT TO MISS!
"BLINQ might be billed a vocal quartet, but forget the traditional SATB. All four singers have astonishing ranges. All lead or blend at will. And for a first performance, the polish, the ensemble, the dash and panache of the whole enterprise were stunning". LONDON JAZZ
From an audience member at Bedales:
"Wow! How fabulous to have had Ronnie Scotts in Steep! A thousand thank-yous for such an inspired choice.
What a great line up, individually and as a group. I've listened to nothing else for 3 days.
Please convey my utter appreciation to BLINQ and tell them to get a move on and make a CD!"