First Songs

First Songs
Studio album by Gwyneth Herbert and Will Rutter
Released 27 October 2003[1]
Genre Jazz; Singer-songwriter
Gwyneth Herbert and Will Rutter chronology

First Songs (2003) Bittersweet and Blue (2004)

First Songs, initially credited to "Gwyn and Will", is the debut album of British singer-songwriter Gwyneth Herbert and composer and acoustic guitarist Will Rutter.[2] Comprising both original songs and standards, it was launched at London's Pizza Express Jazz Club in September 2003.[3] The Herbert/Rutter song "Sweet Insomnia" featured guest vocals from Jamie Cullum.[2]

Reception

Described by BBC Music as a "lovingly crafted debut",[4] the album received a significant amount of radio airplay on Jazz FM and BBC Radio 2, and was promoted by Michael Parkinson.[2][5]

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" Overstreet/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

Production

The album was produced by Ian Shaw, who arranged all the songs (except "No Other Love", which was arranged by Will Rutter).[6] It was recorded by Joe Leach at the CowShed Recording Studio between June and September 2003.[6]

References

  1. "Gwyneth Herbert & Will Rutter: First Songs". The Elvis Costello Wiki. 11 December 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 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.
  3. John Fordham (25 September 2003). "Gwyn Herbert/ Will Rutter". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 June 2011.
  4. Kathryn Shackleton (2004). "Gwyn and Will First Songs Review". BBC Music. Retrieved 11 August 2014.
  5. Rebecca Grundy (Spring 2008). "So what exactly lies between Gwyneth Herbert and her wardrobe?". Durham First (24) (University of Durham). Retrieved 9 May 2011.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Sleeve notes".

External links