Mark Williams Trio w. Zoe Gilby. Bridge Hotel, Newcastle.

Mark Williams (gtr); Andy Champion (bs); Richard Brown (dms); Zoe Gilby (vcl).
(Review by Lance.)

This was one of those gems that kind of sneak up on you. A "Celtic Jazz" ensemble had cancelled - so, rather than cancel, Mark Williams and co stepped in.

The mood was set by Mark with an evocative rending of Darn That Dream. Solo guitar never sounded as good as this - Colin, our man from Hong Kong, drew comparisons with Martin Taylor and justifiably so. This was guitar playing at the highest level.

The mood changed as Andy Champion, sporting a recently acquired fretless bass and Richard Brown, wearing a sweater Val Doonican would have been proud of, joined Mark for a choice selection of originals.

Zoe looked and sounded good starting off with What Is This Thing Called Love and following it up with an emotive It Never Entered My Mind complete with verse before finishing the set with a somewhat risqué Half Way To Heaven.

A quick retreat to the bar for a pint of 80/-, a Scottish beer that was downed appreciatively by our visitor from Hong Kong, then back to the upper room for more trio including Wabash (I think). Mark was flying high on this one - memories of Alvin Lee at Woodstock. Andy too moved around the fretless with apparent ease whilst Richard kicked 7 shades out of the kit.

Zoe returned for Ode To Billy Jo which although different to the original still retained the song's enigmatic quality.
A splendid evening that finished too soon (Management rules)..
Photos
Lance.