One Guy Named Mo. Cherry Tree Restaurant, Jesmond

Roly 'Mo' Veitch (gtr/vcl); Rod Sinclair (gtr); Neil Harland (bs); Paul Smith (dms).

It was billed as Mo Scott and her Trio but Mo was, metaphorically speaking, under the doctor" so "Mo" Veitch aka Roly stepped into the breach once more dear friends.

I've heard Roly in duo situations with Jim Birkett and I've heard Jim Birkett doing likewise with Rod so I guess this completed the 3 x doubles' scenario.

It seemed to work well and all four musicians gelled as effectively as the Pressed Ham & Parsley Terrine, Crispy Oxenrig Free Range Eggs and Dandelion. That was my starter. I didn't recognise theirs but Roly's vocal on Lotus Blossom (Strayhorn?) was a tasty item indeed. Roly knows a good tune when he hears one and Polka Dots and Moonbeams is one of the best. However, as this is a story in song that starts with a boy and girl meeting at a country dance that was being held in a garden and concludes with them being shacked up in cottage full of lilac and laughter it seems a bit pointless, after the solos to tell the tale all over again!

To draw a parallel my Wallington Hall Rump Steak with Wild Ransom Butter, Yorkshire Watercress and a mountain of French Fries was delicious but I wouldn't want the same again a few minutes later!

The two guitars contrasted stylistically and sound-wise yet still gelled perfectly. Roly, smoother, more gentile, Rod crisper, more volatile yet each one enhancing the other's qualities if you follow me. Lot's of other good numbers including Mercy Mercy Mercy, My Buddy, Say It Isn't So, Skating in Central Park. I couldn't think of a tune to link up with my British Cherry Eton Mass in Rosewater Cream until Roly sang Till There Was You! Summed up my desert perfectly!

One thing about the Cherry Tree - the audiences are usually appreciative yet, apart from a select few are invariably not from the core jazz audience (if there is such a thing) - the mixture of good jazz and class cuisine for less than the price of a concert at The Sage seems to me to be a good deal.

We choose to listen and we have to eat - where's the problem?

Lance.