Lauren Housley (vcl), Tom Dibb (gtr), John Pope (bs), David Carnegie (dms) + Natasha Seale (vcl).Having missed a couple of Mondays at the Cherry Tree due to inclement weather I was determined not to miss tonight come hell or high water or, in this case, cold, icy roads.
I was absolutely perishing when I reached the restaurant's welcoming portals. This was a night so cold that only a double shot of Jack Daniels could adequately combat. However, as my Jack Daniels' days are long gone, plus I was driving, I opted for the softer option of a bowl of Roast Tomato Soup with Sour Cream. This hit the spot and after a couple of slugs, sorry spoonfuls, I felt the circulation returning and I was able to turn my attention to the music.
The trio opened up with what sounded like a Bud Powell number - was it "Bud's Bubble"? whatever they played it well with Tom Dibb getting his fingers working. Lauren Housley did "I've Got You Under My Skin" - the girl was in good voice tonight. "Night and Day" had David Carnegie giving the 'beat beat of the tom toms' so essential to Cole Porter's immortal classic whilst Lauren took a few chances that came off.
"Embraceable You", "Quiet Nights", "Walk on By", "Georgia on my Mind" all combined to create some perfect 'Dinner Jazz'.
Talking dinner jazz - I highly recommend the Leg of Lamb with Lentils and Potato - the chef here should have an Oscar or whatever it is they award chefs - a Delia perhaps?
I ordered my sweet to coincide with the start of the second set - little did I know I would get two sweets!
My chosen delicacy was Peanut Parfait in a caramelised sauce that was pure Ecstasy. The unexpected sweet arrived in the form of Natasha Seale, currently playing the alternate lead in 'Mama Mia' at the Metro Arena, Newcastle. Natasha (click here for photos), who is a jazz lady at heart, sang "Love For Sale" giving us a hint of the quality that must abound in the hit show which has commenced its international tour at The Arena. Thank you 'Tash' enjoyed your singing and our brief chat.
Lauren returned and indicated that she too is an okay singer with "Cheek to Cheek".
I've heard them do "The Way You Look Tonight" several times and whilst I marvel at the intricacy of the arrangement - it is constantly changing time signatures and rhythm - I sometimes wonder if it isn't just too complex. Whether it is or it isn't they do do it very well.
The rest of the set also had some of their trickier stuff which suffered slightly by a little distortion that wasn't there in the first set.
Nevertheless, yet another enjoyable evening at the Cherry.
Lance.
PS: Must also mention John Pope's bass solo on "Angel Eyes".
PPS: Check the Cherry Tree out in the current issue of "North-East Life Style".
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