THERE was joy and sadness on Saturday as Duo Montparnasse – who played their first ever gig together at Cafe Mambo – played what could the last at the venue.
The Church Green East cafe could be facing closure but the duo – Cris Tolley and Celine Dommart lifted the spirits with two sparkling and good-humoured sets.
Played in the intimate setting upstairs before a small but highly appreciative group of aficionados, Tolley’s guitar work was outstanding and perfectly complement Dommart rich vocals as she sang in French, Spanish and English timeless classics backed by newer numbers too.
The style is French chanson backed by Tolley’s gypsy jazz-inspired playing yet encompassed everything from a Mamas and Papas cover to classic songs like Besame Mucho by Consuelo Velasquez and Je Me Suis Tout Petit by Georges Brassens.
Needless to say in such a climate Edith Piaf was never far away and Tolley and Dommart didn’t disappoint with their version of her signature song La Vie En Rose stealing the show.
The Duo are back in Redditch in October when they will play in St Stephens Church with Tolley’s side project Trio Rosbifs in what promises to be a harm warming and uplifting evening.
Ross Crawford
