Courtney Pine was perhaps an unusual choice to feature in a BBC program about Holy Island and, by his own admission, the pace of life as an inner city North London jazz musician was far removed from the tranquility of Holy Island (pop. 171). Nevertheless, his plaintive, almost melancholy, soprano sax succeeded in capturing the island's ambience and there was nothing ambiguous about the pairing.
Northumbrian piper Kathryn Tickell had a more obvious affinity with 'the home of christianity' and, strangely, the pipes didn't sound too far removed from Courtney's soprano. Surely a compliment to two musicians who are both masters of their craft.
I look forward to hearing Courtney's take on Sydney Bechet at this year's Scarborough Jazz Festival.
An amusing footnote. One of the islanders professed a liking for the 'Blue Danube Waltz'. Later, Courtney played his version of the tune. The lady remarked, 'I heard a bit of the Blue Danube in there.'
Not so much a mighty river more a gentle stream!
3 comments :
Sydney Bechet...ahh! some years ago we used to go to regular jazz sessions at Harrogate. Dave Challis knew I liked S.B. and he always played my fave"Lonesome" it is so haunting. It is also called "s'il vous voire ma mere" and it was Sydney's lament to his mother whom he missed terribly. I have tried in vain, but never found this recording.
Look no further my dear, I have the tune on a Disques Vogue LP.
Coincidentally, Dave Challis was at Blaydon with local guitar hero Roly Veitch earlier this month. I wish I'd made the effort.
Wow, what a star you are Lance!
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