(Review by Russell - photo by Jerry Edis).
The evening’s celebrations
continued with the eagerly awaited return of drummer David Carnegie. Having
lived in the north east for a number of years studying and working, Carnegie
went home to Barbados
a couple of years ago. It was quite something to see him on stage at Sage Gateshead
in the company of band mates Stefan Walcott (piano) and bassist Neil Newton.
The likeable Barbadian received
the warmest of welcomes and the trio’s debut CD Present Day suggested their set could be a 5* performance (using Downbeat’s star-rating system that is a
rave review). The eponymous Present Day
(comp. Carnegie) and Stefan Walcott’s Sunshine
Roxy immediately confirmed the pedigree of all three musicians.
Neil Newton played five string
electric bass and double bass (the latter on loan from Andy Champion).
Possessing effortless technique, Newton
played the coolest of grooves of which many an aspiring bass player could but
dream. Pianist Walcott, leader of the 1688 Orchestra (a big band and steel pan
group in Barbados ),
proved to be a revelation. Dazzling, joyous piano playing flowed from his
finger tips. He reminded one of…what’s his name? Then, that was…? This was Stefan Walcott, a swinging
piano player embracing the life-affirming qualities of Dr Billy Taylor and the
real-deal blues mastery reminiscent of Junior Mance or Ray Bryant.
Carnegie’s neo-soul jam - Post Modern Revisionist Soul (Reimagined)
- put the drummer in the spotlight. Drummers of the north east - you should
have been there; in the pocket drumming, flick-of-the-switch turbo charge,
simply brilliant. Monk’s standard Well
You Needn’t crackled, the trio as one. Hum the tune. Go home happy. Ah,
there was more. Neil Newton’s Untied
free-wheeled around Hall Two. Award these boys five stars. They had the lot - Caribbean calypso, Tito Puente dance grooves, sanctifying
Steinway blues, reggae rhythm, bop to free. A memorable occasion.
Russell.
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