(Review by Hugues Panassie.)
Some years ago your reviewer
attended a lecture on French cinema. The lecturer began by speaking in French. The
look of disbelief on the faces of most of those present was priceless, then a look
of relief when the speaker stopped and spoke in English to say that his
introductory remarks were but a little joke! So to Djangologie at the Lit and
Phil.
Django-Francophile Mick Shoulder was surely delighted to see the lunchtime
concert programme notes list his instrument as Contrabasse, the other Djangologists’ instruments variously listed Guitare rythmique, Guitare and Violon. The set list scheduled twelve
numbers, some with their French titles, some in English and Dans Mon Endroit Tranquille (comp. Monsieur
M.Shoulder)…translations on a postcard to Bebop
Spoken Here. Summer at last on Tyneside, it was hot, Le Jazz Hot, in the
Lit & Phil. There was a full house, standing room only.
Tunes by Django and
Mick peppered the one hour performance. The Manouche masterpieces included Artillerie Lourdes and Stompin’ at Decca, the County Durham
contribution Beautiful Till 3 and Song for Izumi. The quartet’s rhythm
king – Monsieur Giles Strong – played his part to perfection, the
undemonstrative, reassuring presence. Shoulder, himself a master of the
rhythmic art, pitched his sound just right, creating an inviting set-up for the
band’s star soloists – Emma Fisk and James Birkett – to do their brilliant
best. And how!
Bandleader Shoulder thanked the audience for their rapt
attention. The quality of performance ensured such keen listening! Monsieur Birkett’s
solo on Stompin’ at Decca deservedly
won huge applause. No, make that cheers and whistles. Minor Swing brought the house down and Mademoiselle Fisk’s superb
playing on Les Yeux Noir (and all of
the other tunes for that matter) engendered further deafening applause.
Magnifique!
Russell.
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