Zoe Gilby (vcl); Mark Williams (gtr); Andy Champion (bs); Noel Dennis (tpt/flg); Richard Browns (dms).
Zoe never fails to delight even though the material is becoming a little familiar. In this case, familiarity didn't breed contempt! Rather it saw the performance grow and the compositions expand. with new variations.
The Windmills of Your Mind seguing into The Waters of March was a typical example. of the current Z book.
I'm Always Drunk in San Francisco, emotively put over by Zoe, had a Dennis solo on flugel horn that was as cool as a 3 day refrigerated cucumber.
Joni Mitchell's The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines is fast becoming staple fare in the repertoire and I must confess it is arguably my all time favourite title of any song!
In The Warm Room - a Kate Bush tune done as a voice/guitar duo with Mark - was breathtakingly beautiful. Mark was still on the creative roll from Thursday and Richard Brown too stayed on for the ride. As for Andy Champion...
In The Warm Room - a Kate Bush tune done as a voice/guitar duo with Mark - was breathtakingly beautiful. Mark was still on the creative roll from Thursday and Richard Brown too stayed on for the ride. As for Andy Champion...
Can't list 'em all but Ode To Billie Jo has to be included. I've loved this song and it's lyric since I first heard Bobbie Gentry do it. Tallahatchie Bridge and Choctaw Ridge - man I want to be up there looking down into the muddy waters! Instrumental versions by Mike Carr/Tony Crombie as well as the Buddy Rich Band sustained me over the years but it took Zoe to bring it all together. (Does anyone know what went on there up on Choctaw Ridge?)
So much more but, you've got the picture, make sure you catch Zoe's Band next time.round.
Earlier, I'd looked in at Jazz Café but nothing much was happening apart from a delightful Carol Kidd clip on screen. so I headed to The Bridge only to be be sucked into a jazz session at the Head of Steam in the form of solo piano by Paul Taylor. Paul, a young man of undisputed talent, meandered through an original composition that was going when I arrived and still going when I left 20 minutes later!
There was a jam session to follow by members of NUJO at 9:00pm. Watch this space.
Photos.
Lance.
There was a jam session to follow by members of NUJO at 9:00pm. Watch this space.
Photos.
Lance.
2 comments :
Thanks for your qualified praise. I would just like to make two points:
1. Sunday night jazz at the Head of Steam is still very much in its infancy; last week was only the second gig, so the audience was somewhat sparse. Therefore, I decided to continue with my playing throughout rather than having several shorter pieces and pausing regularly for a potentially embarrassingly scant smattering of applause.
2. To be honest, I'm still not sure how the Head of Steam intends to pitch this event: is it a laid back Sunday evening "chill out" with music being a tasteful background to subdued conversation? Or is it a bona-fide jazz gig in which the undivided attention of the audience is both courted and expected? These slight misgivings may have been detected and reflected in the "meandering" quality of the music described. However, I've a feeling that once the event has gained momentum and found a niche, confidence levels on behalf of the venue and performers will have increased.
The Head of Steam is considering moving the night to Tuesday to avoid competition with Splinter at the Bridge and the Jazz Cafe Jam. However, for the moment, I'll be playing every Sunday evening from 6.30PM to 9PM. It is a worthwhile night which deserves support. Entry is free, but, alas, the beer is not.
www.myspace.com/paultaylorx
I will playing again at the HofS 6.30pm to 9pm Sun 6th November. Wilbur's Fate playing after..
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