LIVE REVIEWS and PRESS
Out Of Abingdon – October 27th 2019
BRISBANE JAZZ CLUB
Abingdon Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, is where Tina Fullerton and Warwick Hargreaves were living…or perhaps leaving…ten years ago, when they started playing together as a sassy and very classy, duo.
And today at the Brisbane Jazz Club, we were fortunate to have them here, with some very talented friends, sharing a celebration of their tenth anniversary of performing together as Out Of Abingdon.
Tina: ‘I didn’t imagine, when I first picked up the bass 10 years ago, that we would go on to be able to celebrate here, at the beautiful Brisbane Jazz Club’.
And celebrate, they did, in a memorable Sunday session.
But before I attempt to describe to you what you may have missed, I have a cunning plan…
I am going to suggest, by way of setting the scene, that you check out this beautifully atmospheric YouTube clip of Tina and Warwick performing their original, and most requested song, ‘3-Piece Suit’… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abQ0KcF2L9w
…so, welcome back…after what was either a wonderful reminder of what you enjoyed on the day, or a little taste of what you missed; and thus, a reminder perhaps, not to miss them next time.
Out Of Abingdon have played over 1000 gigs, locally, nationally and internationally, during their 10 years together. And they are…
The Pocket Rocket, Tina on double bass and honeyed vocals. Close your eyes when Tina is at the mic, and you are lifted, up and away, by the magic that she creates, with the lightness of her touch on the bass, and the breathy, sultry warmth of her voice.
The Guitar Whisperer, Warwick. Today he had three guitars singing, talking, weeping and/or wailing…as well as having them ready for a quick change, after a couple of broken strings. And we loved his occasional touch on the wah-wah pedal, his gyrations and his smouldering, understated vocals.
In their first set today, which started with just Tina and Warwick on stage, they performed several songs as a duet, including Bruce Springsteen’s ‘I’m On Fire’ and Adele’s ‘Rumour Has It’. Both featured Tina on lead vocal.
Warwick led the vocals a couple of times too, including his deep, bluesy rendition of Ray Charles’, ‘I Don’t Need No Doctor’.
At times, during that first set, they were joined by two beautiful singer-songwriters;
Michelle Phillips on piano, vocals and sublime harmonies, for Warwick and Tina’s ‘What Kind Of Life’, and Michelle’s own ‘Inch By Inch’.
Lisa Brennan on guitar and vocals and more sweet harmony, for Warwick and Tina’s ‘Shegecki’, and Lisa’s own, ‘I Like You More’.
Then, in closing the set, Tina and Warwick brought the house down, with their intertwining, his and hers vocals, and the sexy, tango vibe of their own, great ‘3-Piece Suit’.
Wow!! That is a powerfully evocative story-song. Absolutely world class. (Excuse me, while I check out that YouTube clip again!!).
For the entire second set, they had Steve Ewart on horns, (trumpet, flugelhorn and trombone – sometimes beautifully muted), and Efiq Zulfiqar on drums and flute. Michelle and Lisa re-joined them on stage, for the last two songs.
This set included captivating arrangements of tunes by Gershwin, Nina Simone, Bjork, Kylie Minogue and Melody Gardot…and Tina practising her Spanish on Bebe’s ‘Pa Mi Casa’.
It also featured two more of their own tunes. Substation 75, which tells of an old building in Woolloongabba, which they are hoping will one day be saved as a creative space.
While Prospect Street was a gentle shuffle about their current residence, a little house in Kangaroo Point, not far from the Brisbane Jazz Club. It was spoken, rather than sung, by Tina, and included a touch of beautiful horn playing from Steve, and an insistent clapping, which evoked the ticker-tick-tick of traffic on the nearby Story Bridge.
A special mention too, for the Club’s Sound Engineer, Mark Smith, who has been a part of Out Of Abingdon’s journey ever since he recorded their first demo, back in 2009. (Amongst his other work with the band, he also recorded and mixed the video single for ‘3 Piece Suit’, in 2014).
His work at the desk today was masterful, as, with the skillful and judicious use of levels and reverb, he expertly oversaw the re-creation of the ethereal, ephemeral sounds for which these musicians are renowned.
Thank you to all of you, for a beautiful Sunday morning.
And if anyone can find a better way to spend a Brisbane Sunday morning in Spring, than down by the Brisbane River, celebrating Out of Abingdon’s 10th Anniversary, then we would love to hear about it.
Alan Smith
Brisbane Jazz Club
'Very cool, very smooth, reminiscent of 'Stringman Sassy' and 'Tuck and Pattie' ... these guys are fascinating' - Steve Austin ABC Radio Brisbane
‘Smooth and soulful jazz from this talented duo. …listening to Fullerton's warm, breathy voice is like being dipped in melted dark chocolate, Hargreaves' blues guitar is mesmerising, their easy enthusiasm makes this gig a soothing, sonic pleasure.’ Broadway Baby EDINBURGH
'cracking jazz duo from down under worth watching what ever time of day or night' Love Fringe EDINBURGH
'Refreshingly unassuming...soft vocals, laid-back bass and cool grooves....unexpected contemporary covers' Three Weeks EDINBURGH
here we are on radio program 'Cocktail Nation' chatting with the charming Koop Kooper
http://www.ultraswank.net/podcast/8240-out-of-abingdon/
themusic.com.au - Bellingen Turtle Festival Focus: Out Of Abingdon
http://themusic.com.au/profiles/all/2016/09/29/bellingen-turtle-festival-focus-out-of-abingdon/
scenestr.com.au - Interview with Out of Abingdon
http://scenestr.com.au/music/out-of-abingdon-return-home-after-european-tour
Out of Abingdon – May 03, 2015 Lismore Jazz Club
Tina Fullerton (double bass / vocals), Warwick Hargreaves (acoustic guitar / vocals).
A great afternoon of delicate acoustic jazz.
Out of Abingdon travelled from Brisbane in tricky weather, and for that alone deserved a standing ovation.
But the genuine applause was for their unique seductive music – it was ‘hear a pin drop’ stuff.
We continue to be truly spoilt by the performers we attract to LJC.
Tina and Warwick began the session with Leonard Cohen’s ‘Dance Me To the End of Love’ and at one stage played an interpretive version of the Kylie Minogue hit ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ (adding an extra beat to the bar – nice). There was a Gershwin, a Tom Waits, even a Fred Astaire classic but they presented few jazz standards or songs that an audience would recognise. Some original, some little known by known songwriters,
all well-chosen and all superbly played and sung. Endearing.
Worth catching them in Brisbane if you’re up that way (or if you’re in UK or Europe in August 2015).
Their local gigs and their European tour schedule are listed on their website. Go see 'em.
(They took away copies of our promotional poster for their scrapbook – no doubt to be neatly pasted between Lebowskis in Glascow and Madame Claude in Berlin. Not too bad a place to sit that.) MB
http://www.lismorejazz.org/gigreviews.html
TIMBER AND STEEL REVIEW MUDSLING FESTIVAL MUDGEE
14.01.2016
'Next Out of Abingdon cut swathes of cool jazz through the hot summer evening and their sassy approach had the place humming. This date is kicking off their Long Hot Summer tour and they are ready to swing. Their takes on Kylie and Bjork, where they jazzified the songs added to their cool and already apparent hip instincts.... '
https://timberandsteel.wordpress.com/2016/01/14/review-mudsling-festival-mudgee/
OUT of ABINGDON at BRISBANE JAZZ CLUB Scenestr Magazine Review
Written byKit Kriewaldt
Monday, 20 July 2015
Out of Abingdon is perfect, Sunday night listening.
Last night's (19 July) show at the Brisbane Jazz Club ended with a special request. "I'd like to ask you a favour: no high fives, yelling, or wheelies in the carpark on the way out, okay?" If ever an audience didn't need to be warned about being too loud, it was this one.
Three sets of Tina Fullerton and Warwick Hargreaves' laidback double bass and guitar combination had the room completely relaxed. If the mood had been any more mellow, the audience would have been lying down.
The duo controlled the energy of the evening perfectly. The first set was an invitation to get comfortable, including a smooth, just-recognisable interpretation of 'My Favourite Things' from 'The Sound Of Music'. A jazz protest song about the fate of the Great Barrier Reef was a reminder that music doesn't need anger to be passionate.
Things speed up during set two, building to one of the show's true high points: 'Three Piece Suit'. This delightful duet about two people learning to tango showcased OUT of ABINGDON's musical talents as well as their playful sense of humour. It was a crowd favourite, and the band knew it.
Fullerton and Hargreaves had an easy rapport with an eclectic audience. Their younger fans had diverse tastes – one, young boy wore a suit, tie, and hat, while another skulked about the room in a hoodie.
The band's warm engagement with listeners made unfamiliar songs feel like old favourites while Fullerton and Hargreaves feel like old friends. From an inventive Kylie Minogue cover, the driving groove of the third set led into an impressive scat duet.
Like all the best live acts, Out Of Abingdon saved something special for last. 'Goodnight', a jazzy lullaby, cast its spell so successfully that getting up to leave seemed impossible.
Luckily, an encore was called for. 'She Don't Love Me' was upbeat enough to leave listeners with the energy to get to their cars, and catchy enough to give them something to hum on the way home.
This show was a farewell celebration for the duo, who are heading to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next month. It's a well deserved trip for them but, for this reviewer, they can't come home soon enough.
http://scenestr.com.au/music/out-of-abingdon-brisbane-jazz-club-review
here we are chatting with 4ZZZ Folk Buddies
http://www.4zzzfm.org.au/podcasts/music/folk-buddies-interview-out-abingdon
BROADWAY BABY REVIEW 2012
Aussie Jazz
Broadway Baby Rating: [We gave this show 4 stars]
Smooth and soulful jazz from this talented duo slowly hypnotises the audience into silence. Tina Fullerton plays the double bass and provides seductively silky vocals with the animated Warwick Hargreaves on guitar. Bringing original tunes as well as imaginative covers of their favourites, Out of Abingdon produce a unique and relaxed set.
Listening to Fullerton's warm, breathy voice is like being dipped in melted dark chocolate. She plays the bass at the same time, tapping her foot and bending notes for a dynamic and distinctive sound. Hargreaves' blues guitar is mesmerising, fingers moving incredibly fast, apparently effortlessly, moving his entire body as he plays with fluid energy. His husky voice complements hers, though it verges on too soft at times. Neither musician dominates, taking turns to lead numbers. Both are balanced and mellow.
It's refreshing to have the double bass at the forefront instead of lurking in the background: Fullerton brings it to the spotlight. With only the bass and guitar, the duo by no means suffer for their simplicity, creating infectiously rhythmic percussion out of their own instruments. They play a variety of styles, from R&B to Tom Waits, although all songs are marked with their own signature style. They avoid choosing crowd-pleasing obvious pieces, often creating their own interpretations of other Australian contemporary bands, mashing up lyrics and melodies to produce something entirely new. They clearly enjoy what they do, and their easy enthusiasm makes this gig a soothing, sonic pleasure.
Reviewer: Catherine Bryer
http://www.broadwaybaby.com/shows/out-of-abingdon/15988
THREE WEEKS Edinburgh
Wednesday August 22nd, 2012 01:25
ED2012 Music Review: Out Of Abingdon
Out Of Abingdon have travelled halfway around the world (from Brisbane, Australia) to captivate audiences with their remarkably smooth brand of contemporary jazz. This duo play a mix of original material and Aussie jazz, but where they really shine is in their re-interpretations of non-jazz numbers. With relative ease they manage to turn Tom Waits’ ‘Temptation’ from a whiskey-soaked ode to sin into a sleek, playful toe-tapper (Gil-Scott Heron and Portishead receive similar treatment). With frenetically intricate guitar work and a pounding, yet gentle, double bass the duo create a soulful atmosphere where unpretentious musicianship is firmly centre-stage. For real jazz with a unique and intimate feel you need look no further than this endearing pair.
three weeks rating 4/5
Reviewer: Lewis Wade
http://www.threeweeks.co.uk/article/ed2012-music-review-out-of-abingdon/
HERE'S what some of our clients have said.....
28.07.15
Hi Tina and Warwick
I just wanted to drop you a line and say thank you again for everything on Saturday night.
Music tastes are so individual that I’m prepared to ‘not please everyone all the time’ but I didn’t hear one complaint all night about the music – only everyone’s praise!
I adore your music and how easy you are to work with. Thank you, a thousand times over. You really made the atmosphere special, we were all truly grateful to have you there.
Thanks again and I look forward to working with you both again in the future.
Kind regards
Celeste Baker │Fundraising & Events Coordinator │MDQLD
'stunning and wonderful performance....absolutely wrapped with your music, yourselves and everything from volume to vibe, even the rain preferred to listen!'
Tea C. Dietterich, Multimedia Languages & Marketing- Brisbane private function 2010
ALBUM REVIEWS
'Small Steps' review by Ewan MacKenzie
Small Steps is a giant leap in the continuing musical journey of Tina Fullerton and Warwick Hargreaves, who together make up the jazz/groove duo Out of Abingdon.
Recorded live with no overdubs in St Mary's Church in Ipswich on a chilly winter's day, this collection will warm the coldest heart.
OoA leave plenty of space for you to wander in amongst the sound, standing beside Tina as she weaves her intimate vocal between her big bass grooves and Warwick's slippery guitar lines.
The songs are mostly self-penned, an exception being their surprising and stunning take on the Kylie Minogue hit 'Can't Get you (Out of my Head)'. Call me a romantic - and many do - but I lean more towards the bitter sweet 'Like Alice', and 'Three Piece Suit' will just, well, get your blood flowing... it is a shame in a way that it's the last track, but it'll certainly make you want to press repeat.
There's some great jazz/blues guitar across the whole CD. Warwick has honed his style over the hundreds of gigs they do - this band works hard! - and the rewards are there to hear.
Tina's bass playing is assured and groove-laden, underpinning the guitar perfectly. There's more - a great acapella scatting duet on 'Do Like Eddie', the interwoven vocals on 'Three Piece Suit' and others.
The lyrics are often in the form of a conversation between Warwick and Tina, drawing you in to catch every word they sing as they overlap and knit their lines together.
So - get onto them, go to one of their gigs or their website www.outofabingdon.com.au and get a copy.
This is hip and stylish music made by two wonderful musicians working at the peak of their powers. I can't wait to see where these Small Steps take them next.
published in The Folk Rag - Brisbane 2015
http://www.folkrag.org/cdreviews/cd_reviews-2015.html#top
'Journeys' review by Ewan MacKenzie
JOURNEYS
OUT OF ABINGDON
Review By Ewan MacKenzie
Smooth....spiky... Intimate....brash... Subtle....openandaccessible... Cool....warm... Lightandairy...downtoearthandfunky.
Journeys is an inviting set of songs to help you through a long cold night or a warm breezy afternoon.
The five original songs range from whimsy to funky and the lyrics are personal, articulate and involving, while the covers - Portishead's Glory Box a standout for me - are genuinely different interpretations of some well chosen songs.
Of the originals, One of Those Happy Days is a friendly easy-going wander through the bush on a sunny afternoon, and She Don't Love Me - "but she still hangs out with me" - is a fine funky blues.
Warwick and Tina both have distinctive voices which complement their own songs beautifully, and they adapt the covers to fit their style with the ease of seasoned professionals. Their take on Bruce's I'm on Fire is pure OOA (Out Of Abingdon), with quirky yet totally appropriate dobro playing and a great lay-off-the-beat vocal.
Tina's bass is solid and lyrical, underpinning Warwick's guitar journeys which are jazzy and fluid, but have a certain pungency reminiscent of Mark Ribot, whose clean but edgy work has graced many albums, including much of Tom Waits. But there's also plenty of mainstream jazz influence here too.
This CD is one of the finest local recordings I've heard. OOA have matured before our eyes folks, they've just returned from Europe and are planning next year's visit as we speak. Grab this CD and catch them live before they move on up and away.
published in The Folk Rag - Brisbane 2011
http://www.folkrag.org/cdreviews/cd_reviews-2011.html#top
JOURNEYS
OUT OF ABINGDON
Review By Michael Cooke
'Journeys,’ like all good albums, hooks the listener in from the very first note. As soon as we hear the double bass drop in we know we are in assured melodic territory. ‘Journeys’ is the debut album by duo Warwick Hargreaves (guitar and vocals) and Tina Fullerton (double bass and vocals). The musical palette ranges from breezy jazz to laid-back funk with a touch of blues and country without its western overtones.
As soon as the double bass slaps its response to an enquiring guitar, coupled with the singer’s visual intonation, one can feel the musical intoxication of being a Slave to the beat.
The Australian landscape and the doggerel of Australiana together create a cliché to whose charms one easily becomes immune. Out of Abingdon bravely meets that cliché head-on in One of those. A picturesque romp in the Australian countryside, with koalas, wallabies and kangaroos entering into a gentle jazz melody, seduces the listener into sharing a fondly remembered time.
The duo cover others’ material as well as their own. The seductive and laid-back melodic grooves of JJ Cale are easy on the ear yet hard to reproduce. On Sensitive kind this duo strip the song back to its emotional core, with the singer bringing us yearning and hope embedded in the lyric.
The industrial instrumentation and raspy vocals of Tom Waits defy imitation. But by keeping his insistent beat in Clap Hands and by imparting a feminine sophistication to the macho gutturals of the original, the interpretation is enhanced. The song is deftly punctuated by a tasty guitar lick.
Bruce Springsteen’s I’m on fire is stripped of its macho posturing, bringing the strong melodic foundation of the song and uncertain emotional desire to the fore. A lovely reworking of a song which has been dulled to cliche by commercial radio.
Love you like is an original track. The lyric’s optimism is given a jaunty music palette by the bass and guitar. The guitar solo on this track is especially lovely.
Glory box is a Portishead song. Not having heard the original I can only comment on Out of Abingdon’s version. It is a straightforward love song, written and sung with a feminine sensibility and with a hunky macho guitar solo to even out the melody.
For my money the highlight of the album is She don’t love me. Another original track, the insouciance of the singing belies the unease and stoic acceptance that the singer’s love will not be reciprocated. The turmoil he is feeling is nicely conveyed by the urgency of the guitar and the frenetic bass. A perfect song for FM radio.
Sweet time is an effective counterpoint after the pace set by She don’t love me. The vocals are reminiscent of Nina Simone, hardened by the supple tones of the double bass instead of piano. A fine stoic take on life, love and the whole catastrophe.
Out of Abingdon’s ‘Journeys’ is beautifully recorded by the sound wizard David Williams. It is warm and woody, with nothing of the harsh metallic sound of digital recording. Out of Abingdon admit their influences but filter them through their very individual musical sensibility. In the words of their web site, ‘there is a cool breeze blowing in, and it’s coming straight out of Abingdon’. It is also a reaffirmation of music’s capacity for poignancy and beauty.
And so it goes
Michael Cooke