First Songs
First Songs, initially credited to "Gwyn and Will",[2] is the debut album of British singer-songwriter Gwyneth Herbert and composer and acoustic guitarist Will Rutter.[3] Comprising both original songs and standards, it was launched at London's Pizza Express Jazz Club in September 2003.[4] The Herbert/Rutter song "Sweet Insomnia" featured guest vocals from Jamie Cullum.[3]
| First Songs | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by Gwyneth Herbert and Will Rutter | ||||
| Released | 27 October 2003[1] | |||
| Studio | Cowshed Recording Studio, London | |||
| Genre | Jazz | |||
| Length | 53 minutes | |||
| Label | Dean Street Records (CD: DNSTCD2002); Universal Music Classics & Jazz (CD/LP: 9866620) | |||
| Producer | Ian Shaw | |||
| Gwyneth Herbert and Will Rutter chronology | ||||
| ||||
Reception
Described by BBC Music as a "lovingly crafted debut",[5] the album received a significant amount of radio airplay on Jazz FM and BBC Radio 2, and was promoted by Michael Parkinson.[3][6]
Writing in The Sunday Times, reviewer Clive Davis said: "If Gwyneth Herbert is not a star before long, I will eat my CD player. The sultry young singer’s partnership with guitarist Will Rutter has caused a stir on London's club circuit, and their debut album — artfully produced and arranged by vocalist Ian Shaw — lives up to that promise, blending pop and jazz values".[2]
Track listing
| No | Title | Lyrics and music | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Little Red Rooster" | Willie Dixon | 2:41 | |
| 2 | "Maybe Me" | Gwyneth Herbert and Will Rutter | 3:10 | |
| 3 | "Beguiling Eyes" | Stephen Fearing | 4:13 | |
| 4 | "My Thief" | Burt Bacharach and Elvis Costello | 4:06 | |
| 5 | "I Was Doin' Alright" | George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin | 2:59 | |
| 6 | "It's Getting Better" | Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil | 3:38 | |
| 7 | "Sweet Insomnia" | Gwyneth Herbert and Will Rutter | 3:39 | |
| 8 | "Calling You" | Bob Telson | 5:04 | |
| 9 | "No Other Love" | Gwyneth Herbert and Will Rutter | 3:38 | |
| 10 | "Trains & Boats & Planes" | Burt Bacharach and Hal David | 3:55 | |
| 11 | "Don't Worry About Me" | Ted Koehler and Rube Bloom | 3:58 | |
| 12 | "There'll Be Some Changes Made" | Benton Overstreet and Billy Higgins | 3:09 | |
| 13 | "The Ballad of the Sad Young Men" | Frances Landesman | 5:02 | |
| 14 | "Beguiling Eyes" (FM Mix) | Stephen Fearing | 4:24 | Total length = 53 minutes |
Personnel
- Gwyneth Herbert – vocals
- Will Rutter – guitar
- Mark Hodgson – bass
- Tom Mason – bass
- Andy Nice – cello
- Josefina Cupido – drums and percussion
- Ben Godfrey – trumpet
- Guy Barker – trumpet
- Jamie Cullum – vocals
- Ian Shaw – keyboards and percussion[7]
Production
The album was produced by Ian Shaw, who arranged all the songs (except "No Other Love", which was arranged by Will Rutter).[7] It was recorded by Joe Leach at the Cowshed Recording Studio, London between June and September 2003.[7]
References
- "Gwyneth Herbert & Will Rutter: First Songs". The Elvis Costello Wiki. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
- Clive Davis (2 November 2003). "Jazz: New Releases: Gwyn & Will: First Songs". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
- Jack Foley (2003). "Gwyneth Herbert – I suppose for as long as I can remember, singing's always been my complete passion". IndieLondon. Retrieved 28 April 2011.
- John Fordham (25 September 2003). "Gwyn Herbert/ Will Rutter". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
- Kathryn Shackleton (2004). "Gwyn and Will First Songs Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
- Rebecca Grundy (Spring 2008). "So what exactly lies between Gwyneth Herbert and her wardrobe?". Durham First (24). University of Durham. Retrieved 9 May 2011.
- Album sleeve notes