Jazz Cigarette - Ali McGregor

Reviewed by Emmett Spencer

Jazz Cigarette

Ali McGregor

Space Theatre, 6^thJune

Ali McGregor, a versatile singer who made a successful crossover to jazz from opera, continued her good run at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Her silky voice with a hint of coquettishness and great comic timing delighted the audiences. A selection of jazz standards, such as the soulful Georgia on My Mind and the seductive Whatever Lola Wants did satisfy, but she was at her best when she stepped out of the square to sing the jazzy interpretations of pop songs by Britney Spears, the Eurhythmics, Justin Timberlake and Prince. A mash-up of “Cry Me a River” (complete with a mirror ball) was pure entertainment. She joked that she’s never been asked to “sign boobs” before. She’d better be careful what she wishes for - If she keeps up the fine work, she would no doubt be signing many sets.