By CHERIE DONNELLAN
WHETHER it be boogie-woogie-ing to the tunes of the Andrews Sisters or getting excited with the Pointer Sisters, the members of Soul Sister Swing just love singing a good harmony.
Singer Gail Lambert said Soul Sister Swing developed naturally after she and two music-loving girlfriends spent many-a-party breaking into song.
“We just loved the swing beats,” Gail remembers. “So we’d just start breaking out, singing in harmony.”
The chemistry between the trio encouraged them to rehearse once a week and prepare for gigs, but the women didn’t take it seriously.
“We just thought we’d get together, have a sing and muck around really.”
Audiences enjoyed the group’s take on the hits of the Andrew Sisters, The Supremes, the Pointer Sisters, and Manhattan Transfer, among others, that they had constant calls for gigs, Lambert said.
She admitted singing in Soul Sister Sing – going through various line-up changes – was always a “passion project”.
“The fact that we keep getting asked to play is a thrill.
“I’d do it for nothing, it’s just so much fun.”
Lambert’s current soul sisters include Gayle Burrill and Linda Allen, with bassist Rob Gador and drummer Greg Gosbell rounding out the group’s sound.
She said of the members: “We all get on well – we’re all likeminded”.
“It’s just a joy to sing and play together.”
She believed audiences at the Sisters’ July 27 gig at Queenscliff Uniting Church were in for “something a little different” with Geelong keyboard player and singer Andy Pobjoy joining the group on stage.
“We’ll do some backing for him and he’ll back us.
“But we’ll definitely have those three-part, toe-tapping tunes that people can dance to when we perform.”
And as legend would have it the singing trio could still be found rehearsing in cars or breaking out at parties, with the ladies still getting excited to find new songs to harmonise to.
“We’re always saying ‘have you heard this song? Let’s do it. Ok, what key?’” Lambert laughed.
Soul Sister Swing performs at Queenscliff Uniting Church on 27 July at 6.30pm.For details phone 5258 2854.
