Hand to Mouth @ Blaydon Jazz Club - September 17

Lindsay Hannon (vocals) & Bradley Johnston (guitar)

(Review by Russell)

Hand to Mouth – it could be a commentary on the precarious existence of many a jazz club. This Hand to Mouth is Lindsay Hannon and Bradley Johnston. Less than one year ago at Newcastle’s Jazz Café the duo produced a stunning debut performance. They followed up at the Lit and Phil, and now, a Blaydon Jazz Club engagement at the Black Bull.

Ella Fitzgerald recorded a series of late career duet albums with guitarist Joe Pass. Essentially a definitive take on the Great American Songbook (Ella garnered a Grammy award), the material is timeless, and here we are in the early years of the new century with Lindsay and Bradley looking afresh at the cannon. A couple from Take Love Easy (1973) for starters – the title track and Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You? Lindsay’s phrasing and recall of a lyric is nothing short of remarkable; not a lyric sheet in sight and a high stakes playfulness with the words. Bradley has studied online archive footage of the great Joe Pass. To hear the Wearside based guitarist recreate the master guitarist’s signature sound proved to be spellbinding.

Jobim’s Dindi and One Note Samba added rhythmic spice, the latter from Fitzgerald and Pass...

Again, Vernon Duke’s Autumn in New York a study in measured performance, similarly Bye Bye Blackbird. Lindsay’s textbook microphone technique is a lesson to any aspiring vocalist and Brad sets the volume levels ‘just so’ – now then, who was his tutor? Answers on a postcard!

More from Fitzgerald and Pass…Again – Sammy Fain’s That Old Feeling and a rousing I Ain’t Got Nothin’ but the Blues. Things were going well. Brad played the intro to…cue a big guffaw from one boisterous individual in the adjoining bar. Lindsay poised to sing, smiled, paused, and miraculously came in spot on singing In My Solitude. Ah, the perils – and joys! – of live jazz!

Stormy Weather gave us Blues in the Night, and My Funny Valentine could have been yet another perfunctory rendition of a much-loved tune but Hand to Mouth’s arrangement presented a different take with Lindsay’s stunning vocals a highlight of the evening.

Blaydon Jazz Club’s October concert promises to be a highlight of the year, that’s not simply at the Black Bull, but anywhere. Tenor saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos makes his now annual visit to the region to link up once more with Paul Edis. This year Vasilis will be bringing with him guitarist Nigel Price. That’s Vasilis, Nigel, Paul, and the incomparable bass and drums pairing of Andy Champion and Russ Morgan. You could be forgiven for thinking Christmas had arrived early! Sunday October 22nd is the date. Ink it in your diary, cancel that trip of a lifetime, rise from your sick bed, switch off the telly, and get to the Black Bull in time for an eight o’clock start. Thirty five days and counting… Russell.