Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 2026)

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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

From This Moment On

August

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Monday, November 19, 2012

CD Review: Hot Club of Cowtown - Rendezvous in Rhythm

Elana James (fiddle/vcl); Whit Smith (gtr/vcl); Jake Erwin (bs).
(Review by Lance).
Coming hot on the heels of last night's concert at The Sage this CD  is  an  item to savour, not least because, for me, it displays their  jazz   side  -  Gypsy  Jazz  that is - as  opposed  to  their Western Swing. The evocation of the 1920's and  1930's  is  all around  and  there  is  the  mystical  presence  of  Django   and Stephane hovering above the speakers like guardian angels.
Add  the   engaging vocals  of James and  Smith  and  you  are transported to Montmartre or a café on the left bank. That they are three Americans singing in English doesn't take the ambience away if anything it enhances it. 
Elena swings like crazy - fiddling while Jake burns it up on slap. Whit knows his way around the fretboard fitting easily into the genre showing respect without imitation
When Elana sang I'd Like to Get You on a Slow Boat to China I was on the phone to Thomas Cook before the track was over! Sadly, they didn't have any boats, fast or slow, going to China today.
Tracks: Dark Eyes, I'm in the Mood for Love (vcl WS), Crazy Rhythm (vcl EJ), Avalon (vcl WS), If I Had You (vcl EJ), The Continental (vcl WS), Minor Swing, Melancholy Baby (vcl EJ), I'm Confessin', Sweet Sue (WS), Slow Boat to China (vcl EJ), Sunshine of Your Smile, Back in Your Own Backyard (vclEJ), Douce Ambience.
Hot Club of Cowtown - Rendezvous in Rhythm is available from www.raucousrecords.com - highly recommended for hot club devotees or those who like their melodies to go with a swing.
Lance.
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