Music Review: Ali McGregor - Jazz Cigarette

Music Review: Ali McGregor - Jazz Cigarette


Australia is certainly well known for it's superb talent and to follow the tradition, let us introduce the stunningly fabulous Ali McGregor.


To some she is a household name after her appearance on the soundtrack to the 2004 film, One Perfect Day performing on the Paul Van Dyk remix of the title track. Since then, Ali McGregor has gone from strength to strength travelling the world and performing one stunning show after another.


Now in 2011, we have the release of McGregor's breath taking album Jazz Cigarette. With her sultry voice and unmatched talent, McGregor has hit the right notes to make a truly stunning album. From the captivating first notes to the enticing closing of the album, jazz lovers will fall in love with the genre all over again and embrace McGregor as a shining star.


As mentioned, McGregor sang the title track from One Perfect Day and then the second introduction to this heavenly voice was at the 2010 Melbourne International Comedy Festival where she sang with our favourite comedian Mr Sammy J. The audience at Sammy J's solo show Sticky Digits was blown away by the powerhouse vocals that this dynamic lady displayed. 


These vocals are out in full force as you traverse the 14 tracks of sheer listening pleasure that makes up Jazz Cigarette. The traditional jazz sounds met with the operatically trained voice of McGregor leaves such an impression that this album will be put on repeat and listed to at any chance.


The album includes traditional tracks such as Whatever Lola Wants and Georgia On My Mind. Also appearing is the Cry Me A River Medley which interpolates the classic 1953 song penned by Arthur Hamilton and also 2002 song by the same name performed by Justin Timberlake. The track is nothing short of amazing.


Also popping up are two surprises. The first being Sweet Dreams. Not the same as you are used to by the Eurythmics but instead a brilliant jazz version which meets beautiful smoky cabaret and sweet vocals which fuse to create one of the absolute stand out tracks on the album.


The other surprise is the adaptation of Oops! I Did It Again by Britney Spears meeting similar treatment. As an added bonus, McGregor works with the highly talented James Morrison on the track. The pair together make it a track that stands out and is more memorable than the radio disposable version that we are used to.


This album has been made for anyone who loves stunning music. Whether you are a jazz fan or not, after listening to this album there's no doubt that you will fall in love with the stunning Ali McGregor and her breath taking performances and sultry voice. This album would be amazing to play at a dinner party or have playing on a Sunday with a good book and nice glass of wine. Get this album now and fall in love with the voice of Ali McGregor.


Jazz Cigarette is out now.

Show Review: Sammy J & Randy in Bin Night

Show Review: Sammy J & Randy in Bin Night


Never let it be said that the Melbourne International Comedy Festival doesn't showcase the most brilliant of comic minds from around the world. Included this year are two home grown talents in their latest show Bin Night. Yes, Sammy J and his purple pal Randy are back with another laughter filled hour of madness, slapstick and expletives.


Following up there 2010 sensation, Ricketts Lane, the team are back for more comedy featuring a tall, skinny man and a purple puppet. Sammy J and Randy (with the talented Heath McIvor pulling his strings) are back with another outlandish and out of control show.


The quality of the show is just as high now as when the pair launched themselves onto the stage, missed the top step, stumbled and fell into the spotlight looking slightly dazed. The amount of jokes, quips, touching moments and brief moments of possessiveness regarding a bin (don't ask - it's safer that way) that can be fit into an hour will leave the audience amazed, if not a little befuddled.


The pair are chasing the bin bandit. The mysterious figure who keeps stowing their trash in Sammy and Randy's bin. The hilarity comes from the shenanigans that the pair got up to. From the singing pizza box through to the snibbing of snibby bits (it's no less confusing when it's explained in the show than it looks written down) there is laughter that will left people in the audience with tears from laughing so much.


As per any good comedy show, nothing is sacred. From Ringtail Possums to Peru to Tom Cruise and even Father Time, everything is fair game. Even playing off each other missing the occasional line or an eye related incident, the pair soldiered on with their improvisational skills stunning and wowing the audience that say before them.


From start to finish, Sammy J & Randy provide hilarity and amusement for the crowd and make sure that the audience gets their money's worth. From the included songs to the madcap slapstick humor, the pair have shown why they won the 2010 Barry for Best Show (for Ricketts Lane) and delivered another comedic masterpiece.


If you get a chance to see this show, make sure you do. A tall, white, skinny man and a purple, somewhat acerbic, and sarcastic puppet. It's comedy gold in any language.


Bin Night is playing until Sunday 24th April at Melbourne International Comedy Festival