Jo Lawry (vcl/gtr/pno); Will Vinson (pno/alto).
(Review by Lance),
The game was afoot tonight, ne'er a square inch of space at any of the bars! The main attraction was Ralph McTell in Hall One. Across the great divide there was also a quorum for Mercury Rev in Hall Two. Sandwiched in between, in the Northern Rock Foundation Hall, was Jo Lawry and Will Vinson.
This was the one for those who'd made the near impossible choice of choosing between the Lit and Phil for Paul Edis' solo CD launch, the Stronger Jazz Voices gig at the Globe or this remarkable duo.
You want stronger jazz voices? You got it tonight with Jo Lawry although, it has to be said, the jazz content wasn't high. But, when it was, move over you gals on the ladder, you've still got a long way to go,
I calculated maybe a 100 bums on seats which, given the alternatives on offer in and away from Sage Gateshead, wasn't bad going. 
Many present were drawn to Ms Lawry because of her association with Sting's Shipyard extravaganza and it was easy to see why. A voice that appealed across the genres. In the main it was Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Janis Ian inspired and Jo's compositions more than held their own with her illustrious contemporaries - thank god she doesn't play cricket - she's from down under and the Ashes would be gone forever!
The jazzy numbers were Just You, Just Me, Vinson vacating the piano stool to blow some great alto. and Lawry sounding - not unlike Anita without the hat, And the jazz vocalese solo of the year - Hank Mobley's solo on Remember. This was top of the game stuff. The solo note for note and the words totally relevant to the song. Irving Berlin was surely having an appreciative chuckle as he looked down on this amazing performance. I think Annie Ross would like it too.
Kathryn Tickell, sitting in front of me, certainly did.
The less jazzier numbers were, nevertheless, just as valuable because of the strong lyrics. Several related to Vinson, her husband of just over a year. Taking Pictures, a swipe at social media and a complaint that she couldn't see the smile on the Mona Lisa because of tourists taking photos and losing a lover in the process.
There was more, so much more, but I was too engrossed to make many notes.
Folk Meets Jazz? You got it here tonight!
So, Jo, maybe one day, an out and out jazz gig?
Sooper dooper!
Photos.
Photos.
Lance.
PS: 221 to go to the 2 million page views - and only one million of them were mine! (joke!)
PS: 221 to go to the 2 million page views - and only one million of them were mine! (joke!)
4 comments :
Here's to the next million!
"discerning fans" ? Is that comment dismissive of local talent, or simply badly worded?
Not dismissive I think I can say that I have supported local talent, and Paul Edis in particular, whenever possible, My meaning was to convey the alternatives on offer that evening with the 'discerning fans' referring to those who attended the Lit and Phil, the Globe as well as the NRFH. Apologies if you found it confusing, I'll try and rephrase it.
Thanks for that. I had hoped that I had misconstrued your words which seemed out of character in a blog which does more than its share to counter the "endangered" status of jazz in the region.
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