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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 2025).

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

17755 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 76 of them this year alone and, so far, 1 this month (Feb.1).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sat 08: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 08: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 08: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 08: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 08: Anth Purdy @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. ‘Swing Jazz Guitar’.
Sat 08: NUJO Jazz Jam @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra event. All welcome.

Sun 09: The New ’58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 09: Glenn Miller & Big Band Spectacular @ The Forum, Billingham. 3:00pm.
Sun 09: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tom Remon & Mark Williams @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 09: Rod Oughton’s Tomorrow’s New Quartet with Ben van Helder @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Line-up inc. Deschanel Gordon.
Sun 09: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 10: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 11: Steve Summers Quintet @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm.

Wed 12: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Jam session @ The Tannery, Gilesgate, Hexham. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Wed 12: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 12: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 13: Student Performances @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 4:00pm. Free. Inc. Olly Styles (tenor sax).
Thu 13: MOBO Awards Fringe 2025: Artist Showcase @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:00pm. Free (ticketed). Line-up inc. Hannabiell & Midnight Blue.
Thu 13: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

Fri 14: John Rowland Trio @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 12:30-1:30pm. £5.00. at the door. New second Friday in the month concert series.
Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 14: Archipelago + Anna Tempest @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm. £12.00., £10.00., £8.00.
Fri 14: Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. Rhythm & blues.
Fri 14: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Fri 14: Jazz Sabbath @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.

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

Monday, June 10, 2013

CD Review: Metamorphic – Coalescence

Laura Cole (piano, arranger), Kerry Andrews (vocals), Chris Williams (alto sax), John Martin (tenor/soprano sax), Paul Sandy (double bass), Tom Greenhalgh (drums, percussion)
(Review by Les)
 Until now, I'd never come across Metamorphic, who describe themselves as “a contemporary song-based jazz/folk sextet”.  They've been around awhile.  Coalescence is their second album, and is “a collection of largely song-based emotional journeys…some of which is inspired by dreams”.
Whilst their self-penned description didn't do much for my levels of enthusiasm or anticipation, having now heard the album, it sums them up quite well.
Once I put the CD in the player, any prejudices I might have been harbouring following the press blurb were immediately blown away.
The pieces are a little quirky, maybe a little arty in places, and the vocals vary between narration of a story and singing a song, but it all comes together really well.  It’s nicely recorded; there’s “space” between each instrument.  The pieces are beautifully metered.  The playing’s first class, flitting between straightforward melodies and rhythms to outright improvisation in a heartbeat, almost seamlessly, and there’s a seam of “folksiness” running throughout.  Everyone appears to be playing for the benefit of the piece.  Before you know it you find yourself at the end of the album.  It’s very engaging and thought provoking, and it’s one of those that you should really sit down to listen to, but you're led through a myriad of stories and musical journeys.
Whilst the album’s largely made up of original material there are one or two familiar themes buried within – Jimi Hendrix’s Little Wing and Radiohead’s Reckoner for example.  You have to be listening very intently to dig them out mind.
Metamorphic’s very much Laura Cole’s band, her vehicle for expression.  She’s had her share of problems over the years and Coalescence comes across as her way of channelling her experiences in a positive way.
The more I listen to this, the more I like it.  I can imagine Metamorphic to be a captivating live act.  Darlington Jazz Club has had the foresight to book them to play at The Forum Music Centre, Borough Rd, Darlington on June 16.  The gig’s a “double header” with the British based Norwegian vocal trio Røyst. Tickets would seem to be a bargain at £5, and more details can be obtained  by phoning on 01325 363135 or at www.facebook.com/darlingtonjazzclub.
Give them a try.  They're original and refreshing, and I can see them being an “interesting listen” to quite a broad spectrum of people, me very much included.
Coalescence is released on the June 17 on F-IRE Presents.
Les.


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