By William Wolf

LAURA AULT---CREATIVE SONGWRITER, SINGER, BANDLEADER  Send This Review to a Friend

Having enjoyed her impressive vocal freshness on Laura Ault’s CD “All of the Above,” I was eager to see how she translated on stage and seized the opportunity to catch her and her five-piece band plus two backup singers, “Laura Ault and the Dreamers,” in the downtown venue Crash Mansion (March 13, 2010). Pleasurable listening to her CD is one thing, but what is Ault like in live performance? The answer is even better. You can discover that for yourself at her next gig at Crash Mansion, 199 Bowery, on May 1, 2010, and it’s time for the music world to discover Laura Ault too.

Ault writes her songs, often with collaboration on the music, but with her own lyrics that are either especially clever, poignantly heartfelt or both. She doesn’t try to imitate the American songbook genre, but aims her music and lyrics at contemporary audiences and obviously harbors emotions to express accordingly. While her songs have the sort of bold, driving energy popular today, as a singer she supports them with the ability to give the lyrics crystal clarity instead of being drowned out and virtually indecipherable as is regrettably so often the case. This is true, even though she and her band pack plenty of power. Ault obviously knows what she is doing, as evidenced by her solid leadership and results.

What’s more, Ault is as fun to watch as she is to listen to. She seems to be having an enjoyable time on stage, whether letting herself go musically, or using her figure sexily to accompany whatever beat is raging at the moment. Her wit with lyrics is evident, for example, in “Rendezvous”( collaboration on the catchy music with Adonis Tsilimparis) with smart play on French words adding up to free-wheeling love with such lines as:

“Hello, bonjour, mon amour du jour

"Merci beaucoup, when I see you, I feel déjà vu

"Of all my men you’re crème de la crème

"I want to tell you, tu me rend fou, mon petit chou”

Examples of other numbers include, “Hope to See You,” a song of longing; “Sunshine in My Mind,” given a Brazilian tinge; the flirtatious “Run Away With Me;” the romantic “Like a Star,” and “I do,” about sorting out the problems of a relationship. Introducing “one of my newest songs,” she promised, “I’ll take it up a bit,” and she did—up went the tempo producing a lively effect with “Give Us a Try.”

Ault is capable of communicating in different musical styles, reflecting her adventurous spirit in creating her material. A photo montage of her in different poses and dress on her CD reflects what she seems to strive for and the stances she takes before a mike as she renders her interpretations with passion and spark.

Her entourage spiritedly followed suit on the night I caught her act, with backup singers Carrie Walsh and Niki Thomas accenting Ault’s musical moods, and with Robert Lamonica on drums, Adonis Tslimparis, acoustic guitar; Aaron Nevezic, lead guitar; Andy Mendelson, keys, and Jamie Lamm, bass. Reviewed at Crash Mansion, 199 Bowery. Phone: 212-982-7767.

  

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