Angels Among Us

Tuck And Patti

Concert Review by: Paul J. Youngman

Venue: Bathurst Street Theatre (Toronto, On. Canada)

December 19, 2008 - Christmas came early for me – a glorious performance by the duet of Tuck Andress and Patti Cathcart. A performance that was as a gift from heaven. Actually we must thank the good folks at the TD Canada Trust Toronto Jazz Festival for bringing this amazing duet to town. Originally slated for the Diesel Playhouse, the venue changed on rather short notice to the larger Bathurst Street Theatre, a less intimate venue, but with better sound quality and better sight lines.

Heather Bambrick, vocalist and radio personality for Jazz.fm, one of the sponsors of the show, introduced the duet with high praise for their simpatico as well as their obvious love and passion for the music. Tuck & Patti were performing in support of their new release, I Remember You (2008 Self Published) featuring songs from the Great American Songbook.

Tuck looked very casual in a leisure suit with a collarless shirt; he had his arch top tucked under his arm and a floor full of special effects. Patti all dressed in white, with flowing robes, struck a visual that was very angelic. The opening song was one from the new release “A Foggy Day” a swinging guitar introduction, Patti makes the most of these lyrics and adds scatting - making for a very hip performance of this classic Gershwin tune.

“In A Sentimental Mood” was performed with wonderful phrasing by Patti, her deep smoky voice, smooth and brimming with spirituality that made for a beautiful rendition of the Ellington classic. Tuck played with marvelous skill. He produced sounds as an orchestra in support of the vocalist, with walking bass lines, harmonic plucking, broad chords, finger board slurs and all manner of stringed manipulation. Tuck is a guitarist who utilizes a somewhat modified classical technique, by way of finger picking, plucking, sliding and strumming his guitar he creates an incredible full range of sounds.

Other songs that were performed included “Deed I Do”, “Heaven Down Here”, “ I Remember You”, all performed with grace and a divine presence while “High Heel Blues For Shoes” lightened the mood. After which Patti took a break and Tuck went solo.

Tuck's guitar solo for “It Might As Well Be Spring” included some humour as he explained how he never really learned this song. His take on the tune was inspirational improvisation at a very high level. This was really a guitar clinic in the guise of a performance piece. The second selection he performed included all manner of guitar tricks and treats. The effects came into good use; the guitar became a melodic noise maker with feed back, harmonic plucking in a Hendrix groove. In general Tuck has a very distinct and different style of guitar playing.

Patti rejoined the concert and broke into song with “Love Is The Key”. She told some nice stories and put the audience into a state of complete bliss. She wanted the audience to participate for the song “Time After Time” and so we did with wonderful backing vocals. An amazing concert to top off 2008, bravo Tuck & Patti.

For more information: Check out Tuck and Patti

Photo by: © Osamu Tio Suzuki

Click here for printer-friendly version of review.

Send this page to a friend.