Pete Gilligan (piano); Paul Grainger (bass); Russ Morgan (drums) + Jenny Kanellea, Debra Milne, Lindsay Hannon (vocals); George Sykes (tenor); Lin Lee Wong (piano).
(Review by Lance).
It had been a fair while since I'd heard Pete Gilligan - I don't get to Thailand too often these days - but I'm pleased to say that a diet of Thai cuisine hasn't done his playing any harm. He let it all hang out on the opening Witchcraft casting a spell on the audience with his bravura solo. the spell was only broken by the prolonged applause that said, "Glad to have you back Pete, even if it is only for a month or so." Grainger and Morgan picked it up as if it was only yesterday that they were setting fire to the Jazz Café's jam sessions and, even if no jammers turned up, it looked as though we were in for a good night.
Of course, some jammers did turn up with the first one being Jenny Kanellea who made her debut at the Dun Cow a couple of weeks back.
The mic didn't do Jenny any favours, nor Debra. It was difficult hearing either singer clearly and it was only Lindsay who achieved a reasonable balance.
Jenny sang a piece in, I think Portuguese and followed up with Big Fat Handsome Man. Debra chose Horace Silver's Silver's Serenade and Caravan both of which were under-amplified. Lindsay fared better with At Long Last Love and Don't Worry 'Bout me. Apart from her dog, Chaplin, who almost stole the show chasing his tail whilst his mistress sang, Lindsay also had the delightful Lin Lee Wong accompanying her on piano.
Two great pianists on the same night!
Gilligan, the extrovert. Blowing up a storm and swinging till the [dun] cows come home. Lin Lee Wong, the introvert. Not conjuring up a storm, rather a gentle breeze, a cooling zephyr, delicate and sensitive as her version of You Go to my Head showed. Gilligan too showed that he was more than just full-on with an emotional take on Peterson's Hymn to Freedom.
It is sad that they are both soon to depart, Gilligan back to the east, although not just yet, and Lin Lee to the south.
Earlier, George Sykes found Beautiful Love, On Green Dolphin Street before he decided to Take the A Train. He returned to join Lin Lee on All Blues.
Needless to say that Morgan and Grainger supported the two pianists admirably - a dream rhythm section.
Photos.
Lance.
Two great pianists on the same night!
Gilligan, the extrovert. Blowing up a storm and swinging till the [dun] cows come home. Lin Lee Wong, the introvert. Not conjuring up a storm, rather a gentle breeze, a cooling zephyr, delicate and sensitive as her version of You Go to my Head showed. Gilligan too showed that he was more than just full-on with an emotional take on Peterson's Hymn to Freedom.
It is sad that they are both soon to depart, Gilligan back to the east, although not just yet, and Lin Lee to the south.
Earlier, George Sykes found Beautiful Love, On Green Dolphin Street before he decided to Take the A Train. He returned to join Lin Lee on All Blues.
Needless to say that Morgan and Grainger supported the two pianists admirably - a dream rhythm section.
Photos.
Lance.
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