Danny Allan (alt/clt); David Gray (tpt/tmb); James Harrison (keys); Ian Simpson (gtr); James Robson (bs/bs gtr); Tom Chapman (dms); Belinda Voshinta (vcl).
(Review by Lance.)
Jazz is dead? Nah! I'm hearing so many fantastic young musicians these days that I'm sure it is very much alive!
Tonight was quite amazing. Tell me the last time you heard a boisterous traddy version of Bourbon Street Parade followed by All Blues? You heard it tonight!
Yes, Dropping Bombs came on like Katrina with jaw-dropping ferocity when they hit us with Bourbon Street. David Gray demonstrated his ever increasing prowess slidewise with a sort of modern tailgate that blew the cobwebs out of the cobwebs! This guy - like the other bombers - is on a roll. Danny Allan on clarinet kept the spirit of New Orleans alive and Tom Chapman had some breaks the late Lennie Hastings would have been proud of.
All Blues also featured young Gray although this time he was on trumpet doing Miles! Allan switched to alto and Harrison as he did all evening directed and soloed with panache.
Up stepped Belinda Voshtina and knocked us sideways with the Frim Fram Sauce - love this song. I was less enamoured of My Funny Valentine - perhaps I've heard it once (no make that a 100 times) too often but I'm afraid it passed me by.
Back to the delta for St. James Infirmary Blues. A plaintive trumpet statement of the theme built up to a soul bursting climax with everyone having their say. When you've got to go this is the place to do it. The RVI Blues just wouldn't sound the same.
Belinda returned for a spritely Moon Dance followed by a Caravan that exceeded the motorway speed limit by plenty. One of the highlights was Gray's lengthy quote from Sweet Georgia Brown another was the keyboard/voice exchanges between Voshtina and Harrison. Oh and let's not forget Simpson on guitar, Allan's searing alto, Robson's bass solo and the skin bashing from Chapman - take a bow chaps.
This was only the first set and already the adrenalin was circulating as fast as the bar staff were shaking cocktails.
Belinda opened up with - no prizes for guessing - Summertime. If I ever meet a girl singer who doesn't sing Summertime (or Valentine) I'll probably ask her mother to marry me! However, it has to be said that this version bore no resemblance whatsoever to the Porgy and Bess original. Harrison went into Hammond mode hitting the keys with hands, fists, elbows and god knows what else! This became an almost free form free for all that had the crowd roaring their approval
There were more delights - too many to mention although the rhythm section feature did bring a little sanity into the evening. The clock was inching its way towards 11pm and the number 27 was due although if I'd been the driver I'd have stopped the bus outside Hoochie and ordered the passengers to go inside and hear the truth!
Lance.
No comments :
Post a Comment