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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

Sunday, April 21, 2013

CD Review: Chris Greco Quartet - Trane of Thought


Chris Greco (soprano/tenor sax, flute, clarinet); Brad Rabuchin (guitar); Dean Taba (contrabass); Kendall Kay (drums, congas)
(Review by Les)
Before getting into the detail there are a couple of things worth noting at the outset.  Firstly, whilst this CD is a new release (as of March 2013) the recordings were made in 1994.  Secondly, the use of the word Trane in the title is more a "doffing of the cap" to the Jazz Icon than any reference to the music on this release.  
Chris Greco hails from LA, and is well-schooled in both classical and jazz disciplines (a well-qualified, multi award-winning product of UCLA).  He appears to involve himself in many projects, often simultaneously, and his body of works are now finding the light of day on gwsfourwinds.
This latest release showcases eight compositions by Greco plus the final track Soul Eyes, many of the self-penned numbers having titles linked to the Pleiades star constellation (Sterope, Merope, Maia and Electra being four of the seven stars).
Greco's notoriety in the jazz world is borne largely from his improvisational skills, and if this album's anything to go by this revolves around blowing over a steady groove, as opposed to anything free-er.  It's certainly not wild nor groundbreaking, and whilst it's competent and well played it will suit a certain sort of improv fan who doesn't like matters to get too left field.
From a personal perspective, the first track, Sterope, is certainly my favourite, starting as it does with some atmospheric, free playing before settling into a groove for Greco and Rabuchin to play over.
There are some good moments throughout the album, although the overall impression for me is that it's just a bit safe, perhaps just too much of a laid-back, West Coast feel to it.  Also (and this is down to individual taste), I find Rabuchin's guitar tone to be just a little over-processed.  Decent player, but on this outing his sound's a little too homogenized-LA.
Respect is due to the rhythm section; Taba is solid throughout and Kay shows some real diversity to his playing on both drums and congas.
Nevertheless, this is an interesting album that I'd recommend you borrow rather than buy, and serves as a marker for someone to look out for.  It will be interesting to see (and hear) what Chris Greco's up to these days, and should he come to a place anywhere near you I'd say he's definitely worth a punt for the price of a ticket.
Those interested, please visit http://www.erjn.it/greco.
Trane of Thought released March 19th 2013.
Les.

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