A Loose Look at Loose Grip @ The Cluny, Newcastle. April 27 by Sarah R

John Burgess (ten), Malcolm Macfarlane (gtr), Sean Pentland (bs), Chris Wallace (dms).

Last night, the moon one night shy of the full sphere, my diary looked set to make the ‘lunar’ stomp down the steep cobblestoned bank in the direction of the Cluny on Schmazz night, a night dedicated to delivering jazz/schmazz flavoured goodies on the last Tuesday of the calendar month. Un change de l'ensemble did not matter too much. What would have been a glass d' un Francais quintet a la Renza Bô we changed for shots of Scotch poured out in the form of the Edinburgh-based quartet Loose Grip. After a tardy arrival (mine) caused by a liquid fuel shortage en route, I wander into the undoubtedly welcoming - dare I say cosy? Cosy it was in the eye of this beholder - venue whence, suitably settled with an alternative liquid fuel in a glass, I find myself a little too sober to enter the mid-set musical dialogue between band and listener. Undeniably the authoritative presence of a burly Scotsman named Wallace provided one of the most textural live performances on drums I’d heard for a while. Loose Grip aptly convey his artistry.

They're playing tracks from their latest album, Looking Glass (available on the Fabrikant Records label)

Random thoughts. The Alchemist – offered a peek into each band member’s strengths; .none of whom outplayed the other…Can’t quite get into their definitive vocabulary, despite the undeniably strong players before us.

Ø Guitar – great solos and synth sounding electronics – quiet confidence, knowing what balance is, with occasional structual atmospherics. My favourite key player. (evident on last 2 tracks).

Ø Second half could have benefited from longer playtime. All the edificial tracks (such as Looking Glass and a rousing solo from Burgess) saved till the end. Lovely interplay between Pentland (bs) and Wallace.

Ø

Alchemist and Looking Glass – two strongest tracks.

Nobody likes to hear an arts announcement with issues: funding, grants, cuts. In a climate where jazz listeners are fighting to rescue jazz’s voice up and down the country (Pizza on the Park), we have our own northern campaign to rescue Schmazz from discontinued funding. Posters of previous and forthcoming acts lends too much interest in the rock, indie, emo arena. Though really, it’s hardly much to ask: one evening in a month. Why take away such a special treat? I wouldn’t mind taking these callous accountants in suits and ties and hang them …out to dry.

Sarah R