Alan Glen Trio/Take it to the Bridge @ The Chillingham. April 3, 2013

Alan Glen (keyboards), John Pope (double bass) & Paul Wight (drums)

(Review by Russell)

Pianist Alan Glen last played at the Chillingham in August of last year. It was good to have him back working once again with bassist John Pope and versatile drummer Paul Wight. Glen’s set list draws on the standards - It’s You or No One, How Deep Is the Ocean?, You Don’t Know What Love Is, Beautiful Love -  yet he finds something new to say every time. 

Intros are often extended (works of art in themselves), the tune cleverly disguised, slowly revealed. Pope and Wight can be left hanging, waiting their cue and then they’re off! Swinging jazz piano, a ballad, all carried off with aplomb considering Barrie Ascroft’s keyboard refused to deliver Rocket 88, more like 87, then 86, 85…! Take it to the Bridge need a new piano! JP’s bull fiddle needed a good talking to. JP did his best but it just wouldn’t co-operate – picture the scene…mid - tune, up tempo, as our bassman fought valiantly to keep it in tune without missing a note! Victor Young’s Weaver of Dreams, an all-time classic if ever there was one, followed and then a Glen original, I do believe - Put That in Your Pipe and Smoke It-– stood comparison with the GASbook and Dizzy got a look in with Woody ‘n’ You .

A first class set. Don’t leave it so long before you return Mr Glen.

Take it to the Bridge: Dave Weisser (flugelhorn & vocals), Barrie Ascroft (keyboards), Paul Gowland (tenor saxophone), Ivan Scutt (electric bass), Paul Wight (drums), Deon Krishnan (electric bass) + Harley Johnson (keyboards)

The Chilli’s regular session, either side of Alan Glen’s master class, featured a slew of familiar names. Good to see Dave Weisser looking and sounding so good, mainstay Barrie Ascroft held it all together, Weisser and Paul Gowland (tenor) worked horns in unison on There is No Greater Love.and the music student himself, Ivan Scutt, turned up to play a couple of tunes. DW sang on Chick Corea’s 500 Miles High (excellent tenor from Gowland) and two highlights of the evening…one, a recurring strand in the form of five and six string bassist Deon Krishnan - first rate, sensitive playing, the other a cracking take on All Blues featured Harley Johnson (himself a music student these days), Gowland, six-string Krishnan and DW. Paul Wight played all night – strike a medal! Great playing all round. Time was up and they brought it home with Blues for Duane. What a great night!  

Russell.