Watson, Walker, Edis @ The Lit and Phil.

Lewis Watson (ten); Paul Edis (pno); Rob Walker (dms).

(Review by Lance).

The cymbals bring it in - tinkling, shimmering, setting a mood. The composition is called Oh Nothing but it turns out to be something created by the keeper of the cymbals Rob Walker. Edis takes it up on piano a repetitive strain that continues after Watson's tenor luxuriates in some meaningful long notes. The tension builds, the sax develops the theme, piano becomes more intense, sax moves up a gear, drums mixes it with them before they return to base and segue into the next movement of this, what is turning into being a beautiful, jazz suite.

This triumvirate of talent is gelling so perfectly that I hardly notice the absence of a bass. Truth is, a bass would be superfluous so well integrated are these Three Kings.

The music is close to Free yet it isn't - perhaps controlled Freedom with no abuse of the instruments. No farmyard squawks or duck calls only musical sounds as we know them.

Newcastle is so lucky - these guys should be playing at Ronnie's or Birdland or any jazz club in The World! 

Bop Head is as near to convention as we get, 3/4 Harmonic Minor - Lewis' sound  never better than on this. 

Carried on the Wind - a suggestion of Debussy from Edis with some thunder from Walker and lightning from Watson. Funk and Clunk - overtones of Detroit - then the lovely Calm and Calamity.

Like the Transit of Venus crossing the sun, Watson floats easily, his vision unclouded and we are on edge awaiting the calamity. It happens! Lewis, Edis and Walker are in full flight! Reaching striving, achieving! If this is calamity bring on the Eve of Destruction because "Calamity" now means Glorious Salvation!

Three, Four, Seven Four, Five Four a mix of time signatures before, all too soon, we come to the movement entitled The End.

This was an unbelievable experience that ranks way up there with any gig in recent years.

Photos.

Lance.
Oh yes, in case you hadn't guessed - these were all compositions written by the performers. Edis (5), Watson (3), Walker (1).