Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''I believe we are living in a historically embarrassing moment in American history.'' - Downbeat December 2025

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

18083 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 1047 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Dec. 14), 61.

From This Moment On ...

DECEMBER 2025

Sun 21: New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. ‘Xmas Swingalong’. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 21: Ruth Lambert Trio @ Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00-5:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 21: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ o2 City Hall, Newcastle. 6:00pm. £35.80., £33.25., £31.00.
Sun 21: The Globe Xmas Party @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. Live music.
Sun 21: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:30pm. Free.

Mon 22: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 23: Paul Skerritt @ Chakh Dhoom, Jesmond, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Indian restaurant. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Wed 24: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 24: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:30pm. ‘The A Capella Sessions’. Gardner, Paula Gardner, Alexia Hope Gardner Diamany.
Wed 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Thu 25: Alexia Gardner @ The Townhouse, Bridge St., Morpeth. 1:30-4:00pm. ‘All About the Bass Sessions’. Alexia Gardner, Paula Gardner, Jude Murphy.

Fri 26: ???

Sat 27: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. CANCELLED!
Sat 27: Leeds City Stompers @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free.

Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 28: Paul Skerritt @ 3 Stories, High St. West, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Sun 28: The Society Quartet @ Hilton Garden Inn, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Jason Holcomb & co.

Mon 29: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 30: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00., £7.00. adv.

Wed 31: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 31: Lil Miss Mary & the Mr Rights Trio @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. ‘Early NYE Bash’. Rockabilly, rhythm & blues.
Wed 31: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. ‘Midnight in Manhattan’ NYE party. £49.46 (inc. bf) & £29.38 (inc. bf).

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

Saturday, October 02, 2010

Carol Kidd - Dryfesdale Hotel - Lockerbie Jazz Festival Friday Oct. 1

It had been a number of years since I'd heard Carol live and I wondered how she would sound - if the magic that captured me 28 years ago (Edinburgh Jazz Festival) would still be there.
From the opening bars of Georgia on my Mind all bets were off. The magic was still there and a lot more besides.
A more aggressive approach to the melody, improvising from the very first note, this was the bluesiest version of Georgia since Ray Charles.
A Nightingale Swang, rather than sang, in Berkeley Square (to quote an old NYJO track) kept things rolling. It was S'wonderful but How Insensitive of a gentleman to 'leave the room' - Carol's patter ensured he wouldn't do it again!
Time After Time and Skylark were, to quote my neighbour, 'Spine-tingling'. I agreed with him.
The S-T factor continued in the second set when Carol, accompanied only by Nigel's guitar, opened up with Stormy Weather - most appropriate as Liz pointed out in her comments to the previous post.
So many good numbers space prevents listing them all but Can't We Be Friends? deserves a special mention for the easy and relaxed groove that Carol and the boys fell into.
And 'the boys' were indeed Alright With Me as they kicked Cole Porter's classic round the crowded room.
For an encore the most spine-tingling version yet of Once In A While - goosebumps all round.
Mario's bass playing quite brilliant, Nigel's electro classical got a great sound, Paul's piano sympathetic in support and swinging like a supercharged pendulum whilst Stuart drove them all the way.
Made my way back to my hotel on a cloud (no shortage of clouds this morning - nor their contents!) A great start to the festival. My only regret being I missed Alan Barnes and Jim Mullen playing at a different venue. Still I'll catch a gondola into town to hear Alan with Ken Peplowski tonight.
Lance.
at

1 comment :

Liz said...

just been listening to her singing "It never entered my mind" one of my all time faves, as you well know! pure magic,what a combination! great song,great singer,great accompaniment..few things more blissful I think.
Liz

Monday, October 04, 2010 11:38:00 am

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