PG4 @ The Star Inn, Newcastle. June 19.

Peter Gilligan (pno); Steve Glendinning (gtr); Paul Grainger (bs); Mark Robertson (dms) + John Rowland (ten); John Pope (bs); Peter Ninnim (dms).

(Review by Lance)

C Jam Blues, always a good number to warm up on, kicked things off and it was apparent that all four were going for gold. Opus de Funk, Hymn to Freedom, Horace Silver's Quicksilver and Summer in Central Park were but some of the numbers that made for a lively first set. The balance wasn't perfect but the solos were.

After the break it was Summer in the City time when sitters-in John Rowland and John Pope took to the stand wearing what can only be described as long shorts or maybe they were short longs. Whatever, the wolf-whistles were noticeably absent! Peter Ninnim was more conservatively dressed.

Yardbird Suite had an extended tenor solo by Rowland that showed the tenor man off to good advantage. Lots of bop phrases but with a cutting edge to them - nice one. The Papal shorts were louder than the double bass but fortunately that was rectified on the next number. Ninnim kept it steady and guitar and drums excelled.

Next week Gabriele Mit Zwei.
Lance.