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Jo Bywater & Mog Stanley

Venue: Barista Bar
Town: Stockport
Date: 17/1/14
Websitehttp://www.jobywater.com/
http://www.mogstanley.com/

Was it Spinal Tap's David St Hubbins, who said "we hope you like our new direction"? We're not quite talking 'Jazz Odyssey' here, but certainly an interesting diversion, or extension (if you will) to the award winning 'Roots & Fusion' show which goes out on Stockport's Pure 107.8FM local radio network. Not content with expanding the Roots & Fusion brand into his well known 'sessions' programme, 2014 sees all round good guy Rick Stuart dipping his toes into the world of gig promotions under the quirky banner of 'Roots & Fusion Playing Out'. With shows set for every third Friday of the month (check the social media for updates) everything is crossed that the venture takes off.

With plenty of local support making their way through the murky darkness of the little undercroft, and up the steps by the charity shop, what a finer way to start the inaugural event than with 2013's FATEA Best EP award winner Jo Bywater and alternative blues artist Mog Stanley.

The evening itself had a warm and friendly vibe; even wine and cake were on the menu and also another of what seems like a rare commodity these days - being able to listen to a gig in a respectful hush without putting up with some loudmouth behind/next to/in front of you talking, nay shouting, about any subject under the sun.

Stepping down from the soapbox, on the low stage armed with a rack of pedals and an apple box (meaning a box which previously contained a product made by Apple….) and what might loosely be termed a 'shoe tambourine' for some percussion, it was very up-close and personal; like looking into the whites of your enemies eyes yet Mog Stanley was relaxed enough to let his loose bluesy guitar (and accompanying but slightly less bluesy vocals) do the talking and even resort to a start/stop/cut short moment when he lost the plot on a song he wasn't quite so sure about. It was clearly going to be that sort of relaxed type of gig. Of the two artists, Mog's songs certainly have the more foot-tappability options and it maybe doing him a disservice to say that he was the lesser known of the two, yet will have come away with a few more followers at the very least.

With her award winning (she did mention it but self consciously didn't elaborate) 'Chasing Tales' EP and a fair collection of other material from her songbook from which to choose, it was a lower key set from Jo Bywater, yet of no less quality, although her guitar performance in particular was particularly impressive, showcasing her technique from cutting her musical teeth in a wide range of settings. A naturally unassuming yet confident figure, she got her sales pitch in early before running through a set which included some particularly fine playing on 'Wave' - her hand drifting up and down the neck creating a texture very much like the wave of the song. She dug out the slide and a splendid dobro style instrument to end her set with a couple of more blues based numbers ending with 'Chopping Wood' - check out the video track - and with her songwriting which has grown in stature, her blues chops brought the evening full circle and a worthy highpoint.

As Rick himself said, next time we need more chairs and less tables - and for a first opportunity to 'play out', it was nothing less than a job well done.

Mike Ainscoe