Jo Harrop (vocals); Jamie McCredie
(guitar)
(Review by
Russell)
Over the last decade or so, Jo Harrop
has been a frequent visitor to her native north east to perform intimate duo
gigs to large scale concert engagements. In contrast, Jamie McCredie hasn't
played a jazz gig on home turf during that time. Vocalist Jo and guitarist
Jamie live and work in London and this Lit & Phil lunchtime engagement was
a first opportunity for a Tyneside audience to hear them working as a duo.
Tenderly, You'd Be
So Nice to Come Home To, the Ralph Burns/Woody Herman (Johnny Mercer
lyrics) seasonally apposite Early Autumn, each and every number Jo
pitch-perfect, Jamie endlessly inventive, the Lit & Phil audience attuned
to every subtle shift, every nuance.
Jobim's Once I Loved temporarily
lifted the autumn gloom before we got to the heart of Jo and Jamie's set. Two
numbers - Ain't Got Nothin' but the Blues followed by In
the Wee Small Hours (David Mann/Bob Hilliard) - were as good as you'll
hear. Jo can sing a blues, Jamie can play a blues - superb stuff. And
then In the Wee Small Hours - Jo told the story of David
Mann's son hearing Jo and Jamie perform the song and getting in touch to say
his father would have loved their version. How good is that?!
Sure enough, time was pressing and
one or two numbers fell by the wayside. Tom Waits' Take it with Me was
retained, similarly What a Little Moonlight Can Do (with some
rather shy audience participation). At five minutes to two our duo signed
off with Victor Young's My Foolish Heart. If the art of jazz
singing and immaculate jazz guitar playing is remotely your thing then do
yourself a favour - the next time Jo Harrop and Jamie McCredie are in town make
sure you're there, you'll be in for a treat.
If you're quick you could catch them
tonight at Holy GrAle on Crossgate Durham. It's a 7:30pm start, eight pounds on
the door. Please note the basement venue is on the small side, arrive in good
time or you won't get in!
Russell
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