Jason Isaacs @ Bonbar, Newcastle. November 16.

Jason Isaacs (vcl/ten); Mark Webb, Darren Irwin (tpt); Dave Brock  (tmb); Lewis Watson (ten); Ray Dales (alt); Stuart Collingwood (pno); Neil Harland (bs); Simon Ferry (dms) + The Fenner Sisters, Dorothy Ellis (vcl).

(Review by Lance).

There was a buzz about Bonbar as I exited the rain-swept mean streets into the glitzy interior of what was once the very majestic Old Assembly Rooms. There were a few distingué traces on the faces of those in the bar where, the tannoy was playing Fats Waller's version of Two Sleepy People followed by Ella and Louis duetting on  Dream a Little Dream of me.. Never experienced that before!

The women were in their LBDs, - some more L than others - the men had the the cool, clear (ish) eyes of a seeker of wisdom and truth.

The mood was set, the food served and the wine approved, all that remained was the cabaret...

Wow!

Isaacs has the voice, the energy, the charisma of the Rat Pack, Elvis and half a dozen others combined!

He hit the deck running (literally) with Lady is a Tramp, Come Fly With Me, Beyond the Sea. Tenor blasted Why Don't You Do Right? and likewise on Summertime. I once went to a gig where the singer didn't sing Summertime but it was so long ago I can't remember where or when or who the singer was. Probably circa 1970.

Dorothy Ellis joined our man for the Me and my Shadow routine, The Fenner Sisters became The Raelettes for Hit The Road Jack, The Jordinaires for the Wonder of You and surely deserved a spot of their own.

Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown had Jason strutting his stuff on the bar top - this guy is quite incredible! The bartenders too were shimmy shaking and singing along. Yours truly even did a little fantastic light tripping fuelled by a gallon or two of Pinot Grigot and a nearby LBD.

But now, the end was near and we faced the final curtain which of course was only the penultimate curtain.

The familiar introduction to New York, New York brought rapturous roars of recognition from the crowd - one day the band will play that intro and the singer will go into Chicago!

It was quite a night, fine wine, good food and great music. Also nice to share a table with trumpet ace Alan Smith whom I hadn't seen for many a blue moon. Then there were the LBDs...

As Jason sang, Heaven, I'm in Heaven...
Photos.
F/b photos.

Lance.

PS: Only criticism - the sound balance could have been better which begs the question of doing sound checks in an empty room.