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| © Ken Drew |
Jo Harrop (vocals); Paul Edis (piano, keys); Mark Williams (guitar); Jihad Darwish (bass guitar); Peter Adam Hill (drums) + Jason Holcomb (trombone)
With circa half a dozen albums to her name there's no stopping the gal from Chester-le-Street. Each one different, ranging from covers of standards to her own original compositions often in conjunction with tonight's MD and fellow Cestrian, Paul Edis, both are currently making waves on the London scene.
Although last night's concert at the Glasshouse was basically aimed at promoting her latest album The Path of a Tear there were also selections from The Heart Wants; Weathering the Storm and When Winter Comes.
Edis, riding high after his barnstorming set with Paul Booth at Blaydon on Monday gone was, as always, the sublime accompanist and his duet, just piano and voice, with Jo on If Ever I Would Leave You, a pin-dropping moment - what am I saying? They all were! Certainly the title track of this latest album, another duet - this time with Mark Williams - was beyond description.
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| © Ken Drew |
In between numbers Jo gave us lots of background info to each song including telling us of the effect (and inspiration) of composing during Covid as well as the nervous anticipation of a three day recording session in Los Angeles with legendary producer Larry Klein.Down in the engine room, Darwish and Hill - part of Jo's London band - slotted in fine although the balance didn't seem quite right in the first set in the second it was fine. Darwish, of course, is well remembered for a belter of a gig with the Jazz Defenders at Hoochie Coochie a while back.
When I Love I Love Deep involved the audience in a singalong. As of yet it hasn't been recorded. Maybe the audience was being auditioned for when it happens.
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| © Russell |
As the evening drew to a close Jason Holcomb was called up from the audience to join Jo and blow his trombone, which he just happened to have with him, on Whiskey or the Truth (see photo).
Oh yes, I should also mention that, apart from the voice, Jo looked ab fab in a sparkly silver gown. Lance.
Beautiful Fools; Stay Here Tonight; Charade; The Heart Wants What the Heart Wants; Path of a Tear (duo with Mark); A
Love Like This; Short Story; Everything’s Changing; Hurt; Traveling Light; Only
Spring; You’ll Never be Lonely in Soho; Too Close to the Sun; If it Wasn’t For
Bad; Life Inside; If Ever I Would Leave You (duo with Paul); When I Love I Love Deep; Whiskey or the Truth.
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