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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

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.

Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 12 noon-2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington (National Trust), Cambo, Morpeth NE61 4AR. 12 noon & 2:00pm. Admission to site £19.00.
Tue 31: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Tue 31: Archie Brown & Friends @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00-8:00pm. Free.

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, April 20, 2013

CD Review: Busk ACV

Andy Champion (double bass), Graeme Wilson (tenor & baritone saxophones), Paul Edis (keyboards), Mark Williams (guitar) & Adrian Tilbrook (drums)
(Review by Russell)
Andy Champion’s ACV is a mighty powerful unit. In concert the listener experiences the quintet’s vital energy. Busk, the band’s new CD, reveals Champion’s widening palette as composer. Eight tunes (seven written by Champion, one from the pen of Graeme Wilson) share common characteristics; distinctive melody, restraint, considered solo contributions and the melding of dark material and a collective levity.
The opening track - Nutmeg State - introduces several constants on the CD; the single instrument intro from out of the ether (Mark Williams, guitar), cohesive group interplay, sparkling solo flights. Graeme Wilson never wastes a note, exemplified by masterly tenor on Degree Absolute, Champion’s bass lines variously direct, cajole, explore and engine room partner Adrian Tilbrook sounds as good as ever behind the kit - tight, yet light of touch. Wilson’s tune She Said it Ugly does what so many of the tunes on this recording do; single instrument intro (Paul Edis, piano) followed by statement of theme (Champion, Wilson), authoritative solo (Wilson’s tenor), Tilbrook’s in-the-pocket drumming and the collective return to the head.
The band leader has taken the opportunity to include a ballad - Second Season - on this Babel release and it reveals another side to Champion the composer - gentle, reflective (Wilson’s superb breathy solo work), writing to accommodate the first-rate musicians at his disposal. ACV like to have some fun and Giant Mice could be said to be typical Andy Champion. Paul Edis leads off with some electronic wizardry, Champion sets the pulse, Tilbrook goes with it and the dovetailing lines of Wilson (robust baritone) and guitarist Williams are the fruits of a well-honed gigging band.
An indication of a good tune is that it sticks in the mind. So many of the tunes on Busk have this effect. One such is Never Ever (Edis’ haunting hook), another - What’s For Breakfast? - features outstanding playing from all. It works well on this recording and in concert Champion and co invariably tear it up! The closing track - Dust Red - takes it out with assured, beautifully relaxed playing. The title refers to a wonderful aspect of the fragile renaissance of the former steel works’ town of Consett, County Durham (check out Consett Ale Works). The production credits go to Chris Sharkey and studio engineer Adam Sinclair at Blast Recording, Newcastle upon Tyne. The photography is by the talented Robert Laing and the superb cover illustration is by John Say. Busk is set to become an award-winning release of 2013. Busk by ACV is available on the Babel Label, BDV 13117. The official release date is Monday May 13. Place your order now - www.acvband.co.uk or www.babellabel.co.uk .                                                    
Russell.







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