Birthday Party @ The Black Swan w. the Mo Scott Band.

Mo Scott (vocals); Gary Dunn (guitar); Neil Harland (bass guitar); Lloyd Howell (drums) + John Wilson (guitar).

(Review by Lance).

PHOTOS

It was a fun night which is what birthday bashes should be. Sylvia, tonight's birthday girl, her partner and Black Swan owner Mike, put on a shindig that did her proud and was much appreciated by their assembled friends.

Music was provided by the Mo Scott Band and the northeast's number one blues mama was in good voice. This wasn't an arts venue in Newcastle, for one night only, it was a cellar blues bar in Chicago.

Apart from Mo, who strutted her stuff like the trouper she is, Gary Dunn gave a master class in blues guitar, that man for all seasons Neil Harland laid down a solid harmonic foundation whilst, behind the kit, Lloyd Howell was rock solid.

The first set was good but the earth didn't move until the second set which was rockier and soon, led by Sylvia and Mike (or was it Fred and Ginger - maybe not!), had the dancefloor awash with movers and groovers including members of Team Bebop.

Let the Good Times Roll, sang Mo and roll they did. Happy Birthday was sung and Knock on Wood knocked back the years for many of us.

John Wilson, not to be confused with the conductor of the same name, is another Tyneside guitar legend and his cameo appearance on Mercy, Mercy, Mercy proved that the magic is still there. Mo wasn't far off the mark when she announced him as John 'Scofield' Wilson.

However, overall, the night belonged to Sylvia - I can't believe she's 35 - looks much younger.

Happy Birthday.

Lance.

PS: Apart from the music, the buffet was superb, my compliments to the chef.