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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

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, March 09, 2013

Tommy Emmanuel & Martin Taylor @ The Sage - Take 2.

(Review by Ron Ainsborough)
The definition of 'jazz or not jazz', discussion raises it head once again after going to this concert, but as many a person has said before me 'there are only two kinds of music, good or bad!' Well this concert was 'good music' without a doubt.
The concert featured Tommy Emmanuel and Martin Taylor playing solo and as a duo for two sets about an hour each, playing to a near sell out audience at The Sage.
I have seen and heard Martin Taylor before so I already knew he is a world class acoustic guitar musician, but with just being made aware recently of Tommy Emmanuel and never ever having heard him play live (I did check him out on YouTube though!) , we awaited to see him with great anticipation.
Boy! we were not disappointed! The Aussie fretman was absolutely sensational, playing every genre of music from jazz to popular music, including a medley of Beatles songs, jazz standards, calypso music and 'classical gas' together with his own, and Martin Taylor's, compositions.
The technique and musicianship required to simultaneously create the multi sounds encompassing 'rhythm, harmony and melody', seems unbelievable yet the beautiful sounds he is making are from a SOLO artist, without the use of  pedals etc, and it's all happening on the stage in front of you.The dynamics of his music are phenomenal and I know it's a cliché but it has to be said,'you would think their were several guitarists playing with him' to obtain the complex beautiful sounds that he creates.
From the very beginning of the concert to the end I was on the edge of my seat wondering what incredible guitar sounds are you going to hear next, I have never heard or seen guitar musicianship (from both musicians I might add) of that calibre before. A wonderful concert!!!!
Having said all that, I must not sidetrack Martin Taylor in any shape or form. Most, if not all, of what I have said applies to Martin Taylor as well, because he was every bit an integral part of the concert, who made an enormous contribution to the evening.
The duo renditions were breathtaking and exquisite. The sounds Martin Taylor made whilst playing his 'calypso' composition were created by inserting a piece of cardboard in to the sound box of the guitar giving a percussive sound,and also during the same number Tommy Emmanuel demonstrated that by tapping his guitar with his hands in a 'conga drum style' (I believe the name for a congo drummer is a 'conguero'),the 'conguero Tommy Emmanuel' played a most wonderful and exciting, strictly percussive solo which had to be seen to be believed.
Ron Ainsborough

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