The Gun Hill Studios' Sunday Service - Dec. 6

Adrian Cox (clarinet, vocals); Joe Stilgoe (piano, vocals)

On Adrian Cox's sole previous
live stream from Gun Hill Studios in Sussex the clarinetist worked with A-list pianist Dave Newton. Today's return visit to Gun Hill paired our man with another accomplished piano player, Mr Joe Stilgoe. The facility's professional set-up ensured sound and vision were never less than top drawer. Amiable banter and insightful comment accompanied an hour of excellent musicianship. I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm kicked off today's Sunday Service. 

Joe Stilgoe has been live streaming from his shed since day one of lockdown. His dedicated band of online followers - 'Shedders' -  soon got into the habit of requesting particular tunes. This prompted our pianist to learn Fats Waller's You Meet the Nicest People in Your Dreams. And so, Stilgoe sang and played it, accompanied by Cox on clarinet. I Thought About You taken at a gloriously languorous tempo (Stilgoe singing) put it in the running for 'tune of he day'. Caravan was, said Stilgoe, one for those who've missed traffic jams! Announcing A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square the 'tune of the day' list was hastily revised, this could be the one (Stilgoe singing, Cox coming in on clarinet). Under a Blanket of Blue sang Cox, a favourite tune of the clarinetist. An exchange of texts during the week between Cox and Stilgoe established our pianist didn't know the number. Of course he'd heard Ella and Louis sing it but he needed to get to grips with it ahead of today's live steam, Take it as read he did more than alright, quoting Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer for good measure. Cox sang it, cautioning he was no Louis Armstrong in the vocal stakes. 

A Stilgoe choice next - Fats Waller's The Jitterbug Waltz proved something of a challenge to Cox the clarinetist, Stilgoe saying the tune isn't an easy one to play on the instrument, that it is more of a piano study piece. Rainbows in My Teacup from Stilgoe's album New Songs for Old Souls found its way onto the set list, then, to finish, a medley. Virtuoso playing from both men, bravo!    

       

Set list: I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm; You Meet the Nicest People in Your Dreams; I Thought About You:  Caravan;  A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square; Under a Blanket of Blue; The Jitterbug Waltz; Medley (Top Hat; Puttin' On the Ritz) 

Russell