Vasilis Xenopoulos (ten), Paul Edis (pno), Mick Shoulder (bs), Adam Sinclair (dms).Vasy (Xeno? Mr X?) is one of those players you remember come what may. The sound is warm without being hot, cool without being cold. Tonight It captured the Blaydon audience from the opening notes of "Gone With The Wind" to the closing bars of "Wee" (a.k.a. "Allen's Alley") this is what a saxophone should sound like; aggressive, launching an attack, mellow when romancing a ballad.
In the latter field, "Don't Explain" oozed sensuality as Vasy caressed and totally seduced the tune as Billie Holiday and Dexter Gordon had done in days of yore.
Our old friend, "The Way You Look Tonight" reared it's lovely head once more and the comments from last night's Alan Glen gig apply equally here. This tune is made for swinging even if Jerry Kern didn't intend it that way. Stan Getz, Sonny Rollins, Guy Lafitte are just some of the tenor players who've given it an unforgetable workout. Vasy's version is right up there with the best of them.
Other gems included "Blues in the Closet", "All The Things You Are" (done in 3/4 time) an attractive Vasy original in "A Rose in Spanish Harlem"and Wes Montgomery's "Road Song".
There were also originals by Paul, including a rather moving "Dedicated to Duke" that brought to mind Strayhorn's "Passion Flower".
As is expected these days, Paul's performance on piano was superb, his solos and baroque interludes being outstanding.
On bass, Mick Shoulder was as dependable as always whilst Adam Sinclair slotted perceptively into the ineveitable round of fours and eights as they appeared.
If you missed out on tonight or enjoyed it so much you want a repeat prescription for happiness then Vasilis Xenopoulos appears tomorrow night at The Cherry Tree Restaurant in Jesmond. Couple music like that with the Cherry Tree cuisine then I for one am up for seconds!
Lance.
2 comments :
Nice one, Lance. I think Vasilis is one of those players who just gets better and better all the time!
I'm going to hear him again tonight so I'll let you know!
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