Sunday night @ the Globe: Jo Harrop & Jamie McCredie - July 26

© Sylvia

Jo Harrop (vocals); Jamie McCredie (guitar)

A fire alarm at the Central metro station meant that trains weren't stopping there so I had to move on down the line and join the scramble for a taxi at Monument. Not the ideal start to a night out. However, when the ultimate endeavour is hearing Jo and Jamie at the Globe the end is worth the means and an obliging taxi-driver got me to the Jazz Co-op's HQ in good time to enjoy what the night had in store.

The room was near capacity and a hush descended as Jamie led Jo into The More I See You. The chords overflowing with rich, melodic harmony and the voice sensuous and seductive. Her native Chester-le- Street a distant memory, the voice now that of a global traveller - a citizen of London, L.A., New York - the Toast of  Paree and, last night, Newcastle.

© Sylvia

Corcovado, the line Quiet chords from my guitar was never more appropriate as Jamie did just that (and more, much more.) I'm Confessin' (That I Love You}, the standards, interspersed with originals such as Red Mary Janes and a Brand New Hat (always a crowd pleaser), rolled on each one seamlessly building on the one before and drawing the audience in with a meaningful phrase or a flash of guitar virtuosity. 

Charade in 3/4 time with Jamie adding a bassline to his accompaniment. I Fall in Love Too Easily. First there was Frank, then there was Chet and now Jo's name can be added to the elite performers associated with Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn's classic ballad. 

Path of a Tear, the title track of an album Jo recorded at Larry Klein's studio in L.A. dug deep into the emotions before the first set closed with Leonard Cohen's Traveling Light. Jamie's extended intro was something else.

The second set began with Lover, a throwback to when Jo was doing a Peggy Lee tribute show with the Copasetic Foundation back in the day at Durham's Ushaw College. Again more guitar brilliance from Jamie who reminds me of Alan Shearer - both were/are masters of their craft.

A couple of Tom Waits numbers: You Can't Take it With You When You're Gone and Temptation. Amazing how much better they sound when sung by someone else as both Lindsay Hannon and Jo have proved.

© Sheila

Goodbye and In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning held the audience captivated - we were living each word, words that triggered off memories. The audience, who had been very well behaved up to now were even more so here. An almost sepulchral silence hung over the room until the end when it erupted with much applause.

A Little Sugar in my Bowl offered light relief before Tom Waits' Rainbow Sleeves and Randy Newman's Guilty brought to an end what, to date, must be the vocal gig of the year.

Magic! Lance