TODAY FRIDAY MAY 25

RANDY BRECKER/TOMMY SMITH w. SNJO "A Tribute to Michael Brecker" - Queen's Hall, 85-89 Clerk Street Newington, Edinburgh EH8 9JG
0131 668 2019 ,. 7:30pm. £17.50/£12.50.
HANNABIELL & MIDNIGHT BLUE - Jam Jah, Durham, Alington House, 4 North Bailey, Durham DH1 3AT. 8:00pm £4. Prepare for an "experience" - Mindblowing!
RENDEZVOUS JAZZ – Porthole, North Shields 1.00 pm.
Maureen Hall's Friday afternoon workout.
THE SAFE SEXTET – The Jazz Cafe Pink Lane, Newcastle 9:00 pm till late.
Hard bop modern swing.
BROADWAY MELODY w. RUTH LAMBERT. - Gateshead British Legion Club, 142 Coatsworth Rd., Gateshead NE8 4LL. 0191 2623735.
The Roaring Twenties re-created with some of the better songs sung by Ruth.
DEEP JOY QUARTET (Paul Dunmall (reeds); Paul Rogers (bass); Mark Sanders & Miles Levin (drums))
- Central Bar, Half Moon Lane, Gateshead NE8 2AN. 8:00pm. £10 (Concessions available). 0191 4782543. A JNE Presentation.
"When drummer Tony Levin died early last year, he was mourned by musicians across the whole of the jazzspectrum, and a memorial concert in his honour brought together a host of leading players from the UK and Europe. This quartet was specially assembled for that concert, and proved to be such an inspired grouping that the four members decided to reassemble for a short UK tour, and it’s great news that Jazz North East have grabbed them for this Central Bar gig." - Jazz Alert.

Tuesday, 4 August 2009

Prom 22: MGM Musicals at the Albert Hall.

Although I guess it isn't strictly Jazz, I watched this program on Saturday night & it is such a good crit from Clive Davis that I thought it might be of interest. Times Review. Liz.
at 19:12

15 comments; click to add more:

  1. I enjoyed the program very much although I felt Curtis Stigers was out of his depth and I love Curtis Stigers. I liked the woman who reminded me of Anne Shelton.

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  2. That is Kim Criswell, a great Sondheim star & she has stood the test of time, always delivering
    Liz

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  3. For me the big moment was when the violin section stood up and played a swinging (or should it be 'stringing'?)chorus of "I Got Rhythm"

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  4. Just had to mention...(Although sure everyone knows)...The conductor John Wilson is a Geordie !

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  5. Yes Mal & isn't he a star? The orchestrations were amazing, and the sheer size of it too. How on earth did he control all of those musicians so superbly? Note that Sir Thomas Allen is also a Geordie. I know he is an operatic singer, but he interpreted those lyrics with such feeling.This show will remain in my mind for a long time to come.
    Liz

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  6. The most amazing thing of all was that after the original scores had been performed for the movie MGM scrapped them, considering them of no further use nor interest. In consequence, John Wilson had to re-create the originals note by note. He spent a whole day, apparently just getting 4 bars of one piece down. Like wow!

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  7. I work with the Brass & W/Wind sections quite regularly & all of them have so much regard & respect for John.....A true star....Mal Maddock

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  8. Listening to Broadway Rhythm again I just love the chord progression of the 4 bars that go:
    "When I hear that happy beat
    I feel like dancin' down the street"
    For me, that phrase repeated frequently in this arrangement, is so catchy that when I hear it it sticks in my head for ages.
    Perhaps Mal might enlighten me?

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  9. Sorry - I found this Prom really disappointing!

    The singers couldn't hack it - even Stigers: the others had good voices but they were singing pop songs as if they were classical music!

    It took the fun out of the tunes.

    And the strings just made it all syrupy.

    ReplyDelete

  10. Hello "Rhythmaning" and welcome to BSH. I agree with you about Curtis Stigers - not his scene at all. However, I think we have to put the whole thing into perspective. The singers were classically trained - just as Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Jane Powell etc. were in the actual movies and, as such, I thought they did a good job.
    The problem I have with the Proms is that, in their attempts to diversify, they end up pleasing no one so perhaps they should stay with the 'old masters' rather than swim in unchartered waters whether it be Jazz, Rock, or movie music.
    I enjoyed it for what it was not what it wasn't or what is might have been.

    ReplyDelete

  11. Hi Rhythmaning, Kim Criswell though, a good all rounder who was perfectly suited to the numbers she performed, full of verve & vigour..well I thought so anyway!
    Liz

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  12. A touch of the Ethel Merman's I thought so I googled her and, lo and behold, she's played the Merman role in "Call Me Madam".

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  13. Casting director for your next venture? you have the knowledge, go for it!
    Liz

    ReplyDelete

  14. Funny you should say that - I would like to re-make "To Have Or To Have Not" with you, Liz, in the Lauren Bacall role - you know how to whistle don't you? you just put your lips together and blow..

    ReplyDelete

  15. You'd be pushed to find a replacement for Hoagy!

    ReplyDelete

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