Church authorities admitted defeat. Prayers for good weather fell on deaf ears resulting in Mark Williams' gig moving indoors. St James' and St Basil's Church gardens abandoned, Williams' trio would do battle with the less than helpful acoustics in the cavernous space on Fenham Hall Drive.
Guitarist Williams' 'Standards Trio' could surprise, perhaps disappoint, if the unsuspecting gig-goer anticipated a GASbook set. The Irishman's trio is dedicated, in the main, to exploring 'modern jazz' standards. From Without a Song* to Charlie Chaplin's Smile, Williams, Paul Susans, on this occasion opting to play electric bass, his bull fiddle lying idle, and drummer Rob Walker turned tunes inside out. Quite what the unsuspecting members of the congregation made of it all is anyone's guess. Williams' construction of a solo is a thing of rare beauty: labyrinthine, yet logical, our man seemingly thinking several steps, or bars, ahead.
Susans and Walker are clearly on the same wave length as Williams. Thelonious Monk, Chick Corea, Joe Henderson, the trio is a cohesive unit whatever the material. The one hour set flew by, a sign of a good gig.
* Williams couldn't remember the name of the composer. In the absence of suggestions your correspondent offered 'Kenny Wheeler'. Our bandleader said: That'll do. Post-gig research revealed the composer to be Vincent Youmans. Er...Wheeler, Youmans, close enough, me thinks.
Russell
Russell
Set list: Without a Song; Bemsha Swing; Windows; Inner Urge; Smile.
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