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.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

CD Review: Pamela York - Lay Down This World: Hymns and Spirituals.

Pamela York (pno); Lynn Seaton (bs); Sebastian Whittaker (dms); Andre Hayward (tmb on 2 tracks).
(Review by Lance)
A delightful vignette that shows Ms York to be a talented and tasteful pianist - also a spiritual one. The eleven tracks all have sacred, often familiar, themes yet there is nothing sacrilegious about the performance. The lady treats the tunes with respect adding her improvisations in a delicate yet meaningful way.

Tracks: A Mighty Fortress is Our God, I Know That My Redeemer Lives - Glory, Be Thou My Vision (better known to us as The Ash Grove), He Leadeth Me, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, Were You There?, I Want Jesus to Walk With Me, My Hope is Built on Nothing Less. Ain't-a that good News?, Deep River, Soon I Will Be Done. 
As well as Pamela York, bass and drums are superb throughout. Seaton solid and dependable, Whittaker giving it a sanctified boot when needed. Divine inspiration or musical savvy? 
Just a Closer Walk and Soon I Will Be Done are features for trombonist Hayward who is possibly a modern disciple of JC - Higginbottom that is.
I like this disc - in fact I like it very much. Perhaps it's the aftermath of yesterday's funeral but it's the perfect disc to bring me back to the real world.
Pamela, I'd dig your church any time if you were putting down stuff like this.
Bloggers, I don't care what your religious persuasion is or if you're a born again atheist - this is a rather beautiful disc.
Pamela York - Lay Down This World: Hymns and Spirituals is now available on the Jazzful Heart label.
Lance.

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