2004)

Added by a Guest Author on 14 January 2004

Septuagenarian Jimmy Scott currently holds down a precarious residency at namesake Ronnie’s place on Frith Street. Precarious because on his first night here, the dapper and distinctive singer collapsed unconscious during a rendition of Motherless Child.

Thankfully, Scott’s frail form serves him well this evening, although his time in the spotlight does feel somehow curtailed. Backing band The Jazz Impressions heralding his appearance with some truly assured playing was seemingly enough to provide support for Scott to make his mark with All Of Me, a standard which despite upbeat appearances is full of tragic longing – “you took the part that once was my heart.” Scott’s intonation is remarkable: androgynous and possessed of a strange ethereal strength, it also has a sagacious sense of swing. Scott is namechecked as an influence by a chorus of major vocalists, including Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, Lou Reed, Liza Minnelli, Marvin Gaye and Madonna. “He defined what “soul” is all about in singing long before anyone was using the word,” claimed Charles.

Imbued with vibrato-laden emotions, none of the songs tonight are rushed, nor are they too slow. From the lingering jazz ballad to another old favourite, Pennies From Heaven, Scott’s story comes across in perfectly measured phrases; the usual worn fancies concerning love seem refreshed and profound coming from a figure who appears to have redolently lived the words he’s singing. “We look to him for lessons in how to live our lives with patience, dignity and a sense of wondrous beauty”, biographer David Ritz claimed, and this seems to account for the attention of the varied Soho audience. After seeing a doctor, Scott is continuing to tour. He clearly has a few more messages to impart yet. D.Rose