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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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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