Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 12 noon-2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington (National Trust), Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR. 12 noon & 2:00pm. Admission to site £19.00.
Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Archie Brown & Friends @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00-8:00pm. Free.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Friday, February 12, 2010

An Excellent Show But... Sinatra Live @ The Sands (Actually the Grand Opera House York.).

This show had the potentially winning formula of the best of lyrics, beautifully interpreted through great familiar arrangements, and a smooth swinging band with powerful brass and a stand out rhythm section.
There was no doubting Stephen Triffitt's laid back relaxed style, working the stage with confidence and that rare knack of making every listening woman think the love words were meant for her alone, as did Sinatra!
The first half, he explained was he, Stephen, singing in his style some great numbers, and great they were.. Summer Wind, Night & Day, Please Be Kind & many more including that lovely Victor Young number Street of Dreams.
So far so good.
The second half, however, as the title of the show indicated it would be, was a mock up of The Sands, which simply meant everyone had changed into Dinner Jackets and he, Stephen, cracked a good few asides, Sinatra style.
WHY? we weren't in Las Vegas, we were in York for God's sake! and didn't need that bit of fantasy, perhaps it was to provide variation and justify the show's title. My biggest gripe was the silence between numbers, apart from generous applause, no audience reaction, and none sought. It was fine whilst he was singing and the band were playing but what was needed was an intimate night club atmosphere where there were no footlights between audience and performer. But, oh dear, in a cool theatre - a Grand Opera House no less - with many empty seats we did need to be wooed for that gap to be bridged. I got the impression that he didn't actually need an audience, he had his band and talent...end of !
The odd way of leader Nigel Hailwood in introducing each member of the band individually by name right at the very end meant 17 bursts of applause...but what of their pedigree?
The 2 guys I spoke to afterward had been with Syd Lawrence for years, we needed to know that.
Most of all, in a band with so much talent, some solos downstage would have been good too.
Am I being picky? well when you have seen the great band shows of the past you know what works!
It was still worth seeing and I hope Lance or one of his cohorts picks it up in South Shields.
Liz

No comments :

Blog Archive