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Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Swamp Stomp String Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Sat 22: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

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

Tuesday, January 08, 2013

CD Review: So Many Reasons Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea


Gerry Richardson (keyboards & vocals); Dave Hignett & Mark Webb (trumpets); Garry Linsley (alto & tenor saxophones); Stuart Johnson (tenor & soprano saxophones); Sue Ferris (baritone saxophone & flute); Keith Norris & Rick Taylor (trombones); Rod Sinclair (guitar); Neil Harland (electric bass); Paul Smith (drums); Liz Corney & Lindsay Hannon (backing vocals)
(Review by Russell)
Hammond virtuoso Gerry Richardson has worked in music education for many years and his Big Idea is heard rarely in concert. So Many Reasons is the band’s follow up CD to the live recording Cookin’ at the Cluny. This new release of seven tracks arranged by the bandleader features the addition of versatile bassist Neil Harland and backing vocalists  Lindsay Hannon and Liz Corney. The line-up boasts an array of accomplished soloists and Richardson is more than happy to put them in the spotlight. 
Altoist Garry Linsley steps up on the opening track So Many Reasons to set the tone; soul jazz anchored by Paul Smith’s metronomic drum patterns and the impressive backing vocals of Corney and Hannon. Rick Taylor makes a guest appearance on trombone and contributes some skanking work on Ska Odyssey. Sue Ferris, a fixture in the band’s reed section, impresses as flautist on Song of the Ferris. 
Two covers - Gil Scott-Heron’s Lady Day and John Coltrane and Donald Fagen’s What I Do - have been in the pad for some time and it is good to hear them committed to CD. Tight arrangements highlight excellent ensemble work and concise solo statements (Richardson, Ferris and guitarist Rod Sinclair on the former, Richardson at the piano on the latter). The down beat feel is exemplified on One Door Closes and Another Slams in Your Face with Linsley (alto) and guitarist Sinclair laying down effective solos. The closing number - Between You and Me – features the self-effacing Richardson on Hammond and vocals. The Big Idea CD launch gig at the Sage Gateshead was an unqualified success and fans of the band will need little persuasion that they should obtain a copy of So Many Reasons at the earliest opportunity. So Many Reasons (BIO1) is available from www.gerryrichardson.com  
Russell.

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