Zoe Gilby Band at The Side Café

Zoe Gilby (vcl), Mark Williams (gtr), Andy Champion (bs), Richard Brown (dms).

After the sparse attendances of the past few weeks it was heartening to have such a good turn out tonight. Shame it had to be the last one - at least on a regular basis.

After a few initial balance problems the band settled down into a nice groove albeit with perhaps a little too much reverb/echo on both guitar and vocals. Zoe, profiting from some woman to woman advice from Sheila Jordan at Gateshead Jazz Festival, brought new life into "The Man I Love". There were other delights - "You Turned The Tables On Me", "A Weaver of Dreams", "You've Changed" as well as her perennial favourites, "One Note Samba", "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me", "When Lights Are Low". With good solos from Mark, Andy and Richard I even enjoyed "Caravan".

In the jam that folowed, Andy and Richard were joined by Tom Dibb (gtr) and Rob Brockwell (pno). This was a rare appearance by Tom without his legendary hat and I'm pleased to say it didn't effect his playing. They did "Miss Jones" - I'm sure you've met her - and Rob played as if he'd known her all his life.

Tom, incidentally, plays the Highfield Hotel, East Rainton this coming Sunday.

Lance.