Jazz @ St. James’ and St. Basil’s, Fenham: Hand to Mouth - Sept. 3

Lindsay Hannon (vocals); Bradley Johnston (guitar)

Both Lindsay and Bradley are well known to readers of BSH through their work with various ensembles in the area and wider afield. Recently we have seen Lindsay with her excellent Tom Waits tribute Tom Waits for No Man and Bradley with the also excellent Emma Fisk’s Hot Club du Nord. However, this outing brought them together with their Hand to Mouth collaboration perfect for a sunny afternoon in the beautiful church gardens.

This class collaboration was born of Bradley and Lindsay’s love of the work of Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Pass and several of today's offerings were taken from the album ‘Fitzgerald and Pass…Again' including a beautiful (if slightly premature) version of 'Tis Autumn and a very tender All Too Soon. At one point Lindsay claimed  that she’s not a romantic person but her version of You Stepped Out of a Dream would have melted any hardened heart. However, it wasn’t all ballads I Can’t Give You Anything But Love showed that they could swing like…whatever swings a lot!

Whilst the church garden is a beautiful setting there was always the worry that traffic noise from the adjacent road would overwhelm the gentle ballads and beautiful love songs. Not a bit of it!  Bradley’s intricate guitar solos and Lindsay’s voice rang through and  wrapped the large appreciative  audience in a bubble of beautiful music. It was over All Too Soon and Ms Hannon’s assertion that she is not a romantic person remains open to discussion.

Unfortunately this was the last jazz afternoon offering from St. James’ and St. Basil’s for this summer. Well done Tony Roberts and the team! We look forward to next year. Sylvia T

Songs included: Dindi;  All Too Soon; Nothing But the Blues;  Mean to Me;  Easy Come Easy Go;  I Can’t Give You Anything But Love;  Come Rain or Come Shine;  The Very Thought of You;  Some Other Time;  (In My) Solitude