Alice Grace (vocals); Paul Edis
(piano)
(Review by Russell)
Newcastle Arts Centre's mezzanine
cafe was standing room only today and little wonder with Alice Grace and Paul
Edis working together for the first time as a duo. Anyone unfamiliar with
either musician's work would never have guessed this was a scratch pairing.
Alice insisted they hadn't rehearsed, they simply met up, agreed a set list and
went for it.
Loud applause greeted each and every
solo with some in the room frequently whistling their appreciation. Days
of Wine and Roses opened the set and the pattern was set...loud
applause and whistling followed by loud applause and whistling. Chick Corea
worked with vocalist Bobby McFerrin on the pianist's composition Windows.
Here on Westgate Road Alice penned her own lyrics to the tune as Paul adopted
the role of Corea. Thoughts turned to a Gig of the Year nomination.
Blame it on My Youth sang Alice - simply
marvellous. Similarly I'm Old Fashioned, a number Alice hadn't
previously sung but was inspired to do so having recently heard Claire Martin
sing the Jerome Kern/Johnny Mercer standard with the Strictly Smokin' Big Band.
Wonderful scatting by Alice, superb piano playing by Paul.
Alice suggested Autumn
Nocturne. As Paul found the chart Alice said she would have to sing it in a
different key. Turning to her duo partner she said: Should we do something
else? Paul replied: No, I'll transpose it. Sure enough, our pianist did just
that. Clever stuff! Clifford Brown's Joy Spring brought to a
close a superb first set.
King Pleasure's Swan
Blues (a reworking of Gene Ammons' Hittin' the Jug) worked
brilliantly. Alice pointed to Pleasure's uber cool vocal. Well, how about
Alice's uber cool vocal? Sensational! BSH insists they reprise this one at
their next gig! But Not for Me, Ladies in Mercedes (comp.
Steve Swallow, lyrics Norma Winstone), Devil May Care, The
Nearness of You (a request), a Gig of the Year nomination was all
but assured.
It had been a treat listening to
Alice and Paul, it's inconceivable that they won't work together again. I
Thought About You then Taking a Chance on Love, cue
applause, our duo taking a bow, they must do it again.
Russell.
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