It had been a while, fully sixteen months since the last of the Lit & Phil's monthly lunchtime jazz concerts in March 2020. In recent months, hopes of a return to something approaching 'normal times' have risen only to be dashed, risen again then dampened once more. Today's concert marked the latest chapter in a turbulent year. Driving down from a sunny Edinburgh, Georgia Cécile and Fraser Urquhart arrived in sunny Newcastle to perform a set of standards.
In 'normal times' the Lit & Phil's Loftus Room could be expected to be standing room only. These aren't 'normal times', far from it. Social distancing demanded a greatly reduced capacity and as Georgia and Fraser opened their set with The Man I Love a small but attentive audience hung on every note. The Gershwins figured in the set list, just the kind of GASbook material the Westgate Road regulars adore.
A particular highlight of Georgia's magical vocal performance was Blame it on My Youth (comp. Oscar Levant/lyrics. Edward Heyman). Fabulous phrasing, timing, Fraser's unfailingly elegant piano playing, an undoubted high point.
As the hour-long set neared its end our Edinburgh duo took requests. Fraser played I've Got the World on a String as an instrumental and to conclude a memorable occasion our star guests bade farewell with I Thought About You.
Better times are ahead. When we get there it would be nice to see Georgia and Fraser return to play to a Lit & Phil full house. Russell
Set list: The Man I Love; I Only Have Eyes for You; Embraceable You; Crazy He Calls Me; I Was Doing All Right; Blame it on My Youth; I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby; My Romance; Someone to Watch Over Me; Soon; I've Got the World on a String (piano solo); I Thought About You.
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