Emma Fisk (violin); Dave Harris (guitar)
It's a bank holiday weekend so no prizes for guessing what the weather was like...a mere 12° with a chilly breeze. In these Covid-secure times the Gosforth Civic Theatre management decided the Emma Fisk-Dave Harris gig should take place in the venue's outdoor, roadside garden. The one set, one hour, socially-distanced, free admission performance required advance booking. Unsurprisingly, the event sold out in double quick time. In fact, all seats were gone within sixty seconds of going on sale!
Twelve numbers in the set list plus an encore. Yes, an encore, a sign of yet another successful gig featuring one half of Hot Club du Nord, Ms Emma Fisk and Mr Dave Harris. The selections were as one would expect on a gig like this, a gig in less than hospitable conditions; weather and the potential distraction of traffic on the Great North Road. As it turned out the passing vehicles simply passed by, soon forgotten as Emma, violin, and Dave, guitar, began to play.
And play they did, with elan and panache.
An appreciative audience, socially distanced, of course, recognising the challenging conditions - freezing fingers aren't exactly conducive to virtuoso performance. It helps, of course, to be of virtuoso status and Emma and Dave fall into that category. From the opening Daphne (BSH's Editor-in-Chief should have been here, Daphne being the name of his cat 'n' all) to the set closing Lady Be Good, this was a set to marvel at. World class violin playing in a garden adjacent to a high street with noises off, how lucky are we here in the north east of England?! And then there's Dave Harris, one of the original members of Djangology, a more unassuming guy you couldn't wish to meet. And, a dedicated Djangologist to boot.
An appreciative audience, socially distanced, of course, recognising the challenging conditions - freezing fingers aren't exactly conducive to virtuoso performance. It helps, of course, to be of virtuoso status and Emma and Dave fall into that category. From the opening Daphne (BSH's Editor-in-Chief should have been here, Daphne being the name of his cat 'n' all) to the set closing Lady Be Good, this was a set to marvel at. World class violin playing in a garden adjacent to a high street with noises off, how lucky are we here in the north east of England?! And then there's Dave Harris, one of the original members of Djangology, a more unassuming guy you couldn't wish to meet. And, a dedicated Djangologist to boot.
It had been more than worthwhile braving the elements, the beer (Northern Alchemy) was fine, the jazz superb. Thanks to all concerned (GCT is once again open for business!), it had been one small step on the road to the 'old normal'.
Russell
Daphne; There's a Small Hotel; Sweet Georgia Brown; Sweet Chorus; Belleville; It Had to be You; Honeysuckle Rose; J'attendrai; Minor Swing; Undecided; A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square; Lady be Good; Coquette.
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