Minnie & the Moochers @ The Globe/Papal Law @ The Jazz Café - April 9.

Minnie Fraser (vcl); Pete Gilligan (pno); Paul Grainger (bs); Geoff Smith (dms).

(Review by Lance).

There have been many class artists and bands at the Jazz Coop's HQ, the Globe, but, to the best of my knowledge, I've never known it to be quite as crowded as it was last night!

Additional seating was brought from elsewhere, the patio doors were opened to accommodate the throng. Bottles of wine, pints of Wylam Gold Tankard and other forms of liquid stimulation were being bought as if it was the eve of prohibition and I began to think this gig should have been held in the nearby Arena!

Yet, apart from two well-known faces on the scene, I didn't recognise anyone! It was a bit like going to an office party that wasn't your office party!

Nor did I recognise the drummer although I may have seen him around at gigs.He, it would seem, was responsible for the crowd.

When the shindig eventually got underway, Minnie sang some tried and tested standards - The Very Thought of You; Ain't Misbehavin'; Body and Soil; Anything Goes and My Funny Valentine. She sang them well although I thought I detected a degree of nervousness that gradually disappeared. Gilligan and Grainger were on top form whilst Smith kept time.

The arrival of another dozen punters had me looking for the fire escape! Instead, I opted for the lift and the relative sanity of Newcastle city centre on a Saturday night. Photos.
------------- 

Still early so I popped into the Jazz Café for some Papal Law. John Pope (bs) and Alan Law (pno) were the Pontiffs in residence at the Pink Lane Vatican.

My Favourite Things; But Not For me; There is no Greater Love; 'Round Midnight; Blue Bossa; There Will Never be Another You and, I think, Goodbye Porkpie Hat were a choice selection before I left for my taxi which didn't turn up! 

An interesting evening!
Photos.

Lance