Dulcie May Moreno @ Claypath Deli, Durham - Feb. 15

Dulcie May Moreno (vocals); Mark Williams (guitar); Mick Shoulder (double bass)

Walk half way up Claypath and you'll find Claypath Deli. Locally sourced produce, sourdoughs, real coffee, the small space offers a regular programme of live music. This evening Dulcie May Moreno was in town. Joining Dulcie to play two sets of standards, original compositions and a pop song or two were guitarist Mark Williams and bassist Mick Shoulder.

Originally from Tyneside, Dulcie resides in Kent. From time to time she returns to the region, invariably to play two or three concerts. You and the Night and the Music opened the set, Mark and Mick more than comfortable with the material. It's one of the wonders of a jazz gig that musicians who see one another only occasionally can pick up where they left off, adapting to any given circumstance. Claypath Deli's snug space saw Dulcie and the boys positioned in front of the window. Passers by would cast a glance and walk on by, perhaps wondering who could be singing in their local deli.

Dulcie's Take Me to New York referenced jazz names and places in the Big Apple, lets hope it's in her set list to stay, a great number! Dulcie asked Mark if he knew Mercy, Mercy, Mercy. Our Irish guitar wizard said he had played it: But not for about twenty years! Dulcie, Mark and Mick played it. It was as if Mark - and bassist Mick - had been working on it all afternoon. Fabulous! Where else, other than at a jazz gig, could you hear such variety...Dulcie's Humility Blues (with its cutting lyrics), Pure Imagination (Willy Wonka!), a bluesy Comin' Home Baby, the Bee Gees' How Deep is Your Love and, to close, Cold Duck Time? A most enjoyable evening. Dulcie, Mick, Mark and drummer John Bradford (!) are set to do it all again - Friday lunchtime at Newcastle's Lit and Phil, Saturday evening at Hexham's Vault (almost sold out, be quick!) and Monday lunchtime at the Yamaha Music School in Blyth.              

Set list: You and the Night and the Music; The More I See You; Take Me to New York; Mercy, Mercy, Mercy; Dat Dere; Let's Get Lost; My Shining Hour; Charade; Humility Blues; Pure Imagination; Comin' Home Baby; How Deep is Your Love; Cold Duck Time.