:: Greta Gertler - The Baby That Brought Bad Weather

Greta Gertler

Greta is a Boston-born, Sydney-grown singer-songwriter who is now based in New York. She was in a capable band some years ago called Peccadillo and also wrote songs with Tim Freedman of The Whitlams. She has a beautiful soft voice and brings her life in New York into the songwriting. She evokes those images and influences well in terms of the jazz and soul flavours contained. I like the orchestral parts, from the well-arranged strings in “Damian” and the accordion in “Pocketful Of Change”. The harmonies are well evident and the general introspective feelings are often dramatic and poignant. Listen out for a certain track, “Unless You Say You’re Sorry”, which cuts into the political territory where she points to the need for reconciliation between white and black Australia in saying sorry to the Aborigines. The unapologetic Prime Minister is the subject here. Great is clearly enjoying herself and the Wurlitzer piano is her accompanying baby in treading the electric sound throughout. The songs are presented expressively. With the glorious singing and elaborate instrumentation, Greta reveals a knack for inspirational jazz and pop ballads that form the basis of a terrific solo debut album. She is sure to please the fans on the New York music scene and I’m sure that her welcome back to Australia in January will be popular.