Zoe Gilby (voice); Mark Williams (guitar).
(Review by Ann).
This was billed in the Jazz Café leaflet
as a different take on the Great American Songbook and it more than lived up
to its description from the very first song, Don’t Get Around Much Any More right through to the last, a
stomping blues, with a special appearance by Pete Gilligan on the house piano .In between we were treated to standards
played as skilfully and entertainingly as we've come to expect from this hugely
talented duo.
The songs flowed, the slow ballad, Good Morning Heartache; What Is This Thing Called Love, (as explained by Zoe, a spritely version with scat and a neat fast solo from Mark); God Bless The Child ( Zoe discussed what this song could actually mean, other answers on a postcard please). There were songs less familiar, to me at any rate, Porter’s I Love You; and also It Never Entered My Mind. That Old Black Magic was a gem, starting unaccompanied, then came some racy guitar playing - an upper tune and a bassline both at once, then sharp staccato jabs.
The songs flowed, the slow ballad, Good Morning Heartache; What Is This Thing Called Love, (as explained by Zoe, a spritely version with scat and a neat fast solo from Mark); God Bless The Child ( Zoe discussed what this song could actually mean, other answers on a postcard please). There were songs less familiar, to me at any rate, Porter’s I Love You; and also It Never Entered My Mind. That Old Black Magic was a gem, starting unaccompanied, then came some racy guitar playing - an upper tune and a bassline both at once, then sharp staccato jabs.
The second half opened with a heartfelt Love For Sale, followed by Angel Eyes; Do It Again; Autumn Serenade;
Black Coffee with a slinky solo.
Then came one of my favourites of the night, Secret Love, done firstly in the style of Doris Day, then a la
Carmen McRae, the latter version showing imaginative humour, making me wish
I’d seen McRae for myself.
Plenty of chances for Mark to strut his
soloing skills and Zoe to do her very varied scat and, as I said, all rounded
off with Pete, giving us a short sample of the sound of a speakeasy. Great stuff.
Go to the Jazz Cafe to hear Zoe in 2
weeks time, on Friday August 15 for more Gasbook and original
songs as well.
Ann Alex
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