Triple First: Dean Stockdale Trio @ The Lubetkin Theatre, Peterlee – March 6.

Dean Stockdale (piano); Mick Shoulder (bass); Russ Morgan (drums).

(Review/photos by Jerry E)

This was the first time I had made it to the Lubetkin Theatre for one of the lunchtime gigs which Emma Fisk has been running since last September; the first time I had heard Dean Stockdale play, and the first time I had heard the two excellent original compositions – First Light and Another Time – which featured in today’s set-list.

Those two, of which more later, were sandwiched between interesting arrangements of various standards (for interesting, try Hoagy Carmichael’s The Nearness of You done “a bit James Bond-ish”!) sensitively performed by three of our top musicians.

Nostalgia in Times Square was the opener, as it is on Stockdale’s CD which I purchased after enjoying the gig today. From Mingus to Gershwin, next up was They Can’t Take That Away from Me during which I thought I heard a quote from Singing in the Rain – or was it just today’s weather which put the thought in my head? Either way, Mick was silently singing during his solo (as is his wont) on My Romance! Out of Nowhere was built entirely around Russ Morgan’s drumming and featured a great snap ending. Witchcraft concluded the (all too short) performance in fine style.

There was an element of witchcraft, or at least enchantment, about the original, First Light. Melodic, almost classical in parts, this featured deft brush-work from Russ Morgan and “Danse Macabre” style bass from Mick Shoulder as well as a lovely fade-out finish. The ballad-style original, Another Time, was also gently melodic (I could readily imagine lyrics being penned to go with it) and featured another fine bass solo. I liked the ending here, too – bowed bass and tinkling piano.

So, I can unreservedly commend my “triple firsts”: the Lubetkin is easy to get to (literally two minutes off the A19) and, with music of this quality on offer, it’s well worth the trip. I’ll be making that trip again on the first of May for Zoë  Gilby and Andy Champion. Fans of Messrs. Stockdale, Shoulder and Morgan should make a bee-line for Bishop Auckland Town Hall on March 15 where all 3 appear alongside Graham Hardy and Lewis Watson – a mouth-watering prospect!

Jerry