The Fondue Set
“In a Blue Vein”
In a Blue Vein is just that – bluesy, intimate, raw and bloody good. The Fondue Set’s last CD, ‘Stick a fork in it’ 1999 sold out of it’s first and second pressings to five star reviews.
In a Blue Vein is an even more eclectic and adventurous work of musicianship. Caitlin Smith (voice/percussion), Graeme Webb (fretless bass/guitars) and Steve Gerrish (nylon string and slide guitar) are joined by drummer Malcolm Taylor on three out of the 11 tracks.
Steve, Graeme and Caitlin live for their music – teaching as well as gigging and giving everything every time they perform – four to five times weekly.
Six tracks are utterly live and direct digitally recorded straight to 16 track at live performances. The remaining five were recorded at an old Baptist Church in Kumeu. Overdubs are kept to an absolute minimum and in the true improvised spirit of the jazz idiom the band recorded together in the same room capturing the songs in one to two takes only.
Caitlin Smith is the vocalist and vocal-coach behind NZ’s most successful bands and releases including Eye TV, Jan Hellreigel, Truebliss, Tadpole, Shaft, Mary, The D4, Anika Moa and Purrr as well as being the voice behind many of the nations better known TV ads. She won the 2000 Blind Achievers Award in the ‘performing arts’ category possessing only limited vision. Packing out the Aotea Center in a tribute to Mavis Rivers, The NZ Herald said of Smith “Big, rich and smooth, her voice suited all the arrangements, particularly the blues, beautifully”. Webb and Gerrish share fine musical credentials both writing and performing their own original compositions respectively.
The Fondue Set have been together four years and are constantly pushing the boundaries of the jazz genre. From Fred Neil and Jim Webb to Buddy Johnson and the Gershwin brothers - not a typical mix of styles - but then The Fondue Set aren’t your typical jazz band.
Sophisticated and sassy – In a Blue Vein is a must for serious music lovers!
For more information about the Fondue Set and publicity shots contact: caitlins@clear.net.nz,
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