Alice Grace (vcl); Pete Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Russ Morgan (dms).
(Review by Lance).
Alice began with Days of Wine and Roses whilst I began with a bottle of Black Sheep and homemade black pudding, hen's egg and tomato.
In this year of Grace, 2016, the lady does seem to pop up with an amazing regularity in these pages, I'm pleased to say, and justifiably so. Tonight was a tribute to Sarah Vaughan although, in truth, it could have been a tribute to Ella, Anita, Peggy or any of the others who work the same side of the street - 'cept Alice Grace does incorporate some of Ms Vaughan's more endearing mannerisms.
Ain't Misbehavin'; My Funny Valentine; Body and Soul. Gilligan's solo on the latter number, proof of how sensitive an accompanist he can be when the chemistry's right. Lullaby of Birdland swung along nicely with an excellent chorus of double bass and wire (nylon?) brushes making love.
At Long Last Love coincided with the arrival of my 6oz Bistro Rump Steak with traditional garnish and fries. Alice's garnish was less traditional with juicy modern chords but still cutting the mustard,
But Not for Me and If I Knew Then What I Know Now rounded off the first set,
A good first set and a decent sized audience although only a couple of folks that I recognised from other gigs.
Apple Strudel with Custard set me up for the second set and a surprise!
On a Sarah Vaughan night, what was Britney Spears doing here? I don't know but, listening to Alice singing, Oops! I've Done it Again, made me think that, had Sassy still been around, she maybe would have recorded it!
Cheek to Cheek; Mean to Me (the body and hand language an object lesson for those singers who do too little or too much); I Didn't Know What Time it Was; Honeysuckle Rose; The Man I Love; It Could Happen to You; Nearness of You and, finally, an uptempo All of Me.
Where else in Newcastle can one merge such good food with such good music?
Lance.
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