Sound Republic: Album Reviews

Paul Grabowsky and Katie Noonan - Before Time Could Change Us

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By Kristy Wandmaker
14 January 2006

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Before Time Could Change Us

The press release accompanying this CD makes many bold claims, as all press releases do. The formative statement of expectation was “the singer, the jazz musician and the poet”. You’d think such a combination would produce bagatelles so sweet as to have every swanky café owner scrambling to their local outlet in preparation of the onset of alfresco dining weather.

There is no denying the technical perfection and operatic descant of Noonan’s voice. Nor can you deny the aural evidence of Grabowsky’s composition and playing abilities. The writing however, is the first stumbling block. What I’m sure is intended to be heartfelt and personal lyrics come off as juvenile, teen angst poetry when set against the mastery of Grabowsky and Noonan. The second is that although Noonan delivers as only she can, the technical perfection exposes the absence of the crucial element to jazz; passion. The vocal precision is totally bereft of emotion. Truth be told, if it weren’t for the lyrical and vocal components, Grabowsky would have himself a fantastic instrumental release. Quite possibly this is technically one of the greatest Australian jazz albums ever, but for those who like their jazz on the scruffier side, it’s just too clinical. “The singer, the jazz musician and the poet” combination fails to coalesce. In fact, listening to the two cds again (why a split disc??) is like standing on a corner with three different venues within earshot. Sure they all overlay easily enough, but it just doesn’t quite gel.

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