Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 2026)

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

18361 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 215 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 8 ), 25

From This Moment On ...

March

Thu 12: Boomslang @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 12: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ The Mill Tavern, Hebburn. 8:30pm. Free.

Fri 13: Paul Skerritt Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm . £9.00.
Fri 13: The SH#RP Collective @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Soothsayers + Rookie Numbers @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £17.51., £14.33., £11.16.

Sat 14: The Too Bad Jims @ Claypath Deli, Durham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors). £13.20., £11.00. R&B.
Sat 14: NUJO @ Venue, Newcastle University Students’ Union. Time TBC. £15.00. supporter; £10.00. standard; £5.00. student. Seated event.

Sun 15: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 15: The Too Bad Jims @ The Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. £12.00. R&B.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Rebecca Poole @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00. Poole w. Dean Stockdale & Ken Marley. CANCELLED!

Mon 16: Milne Glendinning Band @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 16: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 16: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Scotty Adair (drums).

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 18: The ’58 Jazz Collective @ Hartlepool Cricket Club, West Park, 7:30pm. £7.00.
Wed 18: Brand New Heavies @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 7:30pm.
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

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

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

CD Review: Claudia Morris: Secret Love: A Celebration of the Music of Doris Day

Claudia Morris (vocals); Malcolm Edmondstone (piano/Fender Rhodes/arranger);  Andrew Bain (drums/percussion); Julian Jackson (bass); Freddie Gavita (trumpet);  Simon Allen (saxophone); Iain Mackenzie (backing vocals).
(Review by Ann Alex)
This is not an easy CD to review because it is simply so good that there’s not much to say except ‘listen to it for yourself’.  Claudia Morris has a sweet pure toned-voice with excellent diction, you’ll be able to hear every word.  She doesn't imitate Doris Day but has her own distinctive style and she sings in ‘English’, that is, without any trace of Americanisms, which emphasises the universal quality of the songs.The musicians are more than up to the task; they have short solos as the emphasis is on the singing.
My favourite track is the most minimalist one: I’ll Never Stop Loving You – try listening to this without a tear in your eye; it’s just a single chorus of voice, piano and emotional truth.  This track is wisely followed by an upbeat I’ve Got The Sun In The Morning, showing a sensible track order, for people who listen to CDs straight through. The first track, Sentimental Journey, is typical of the whole CD, it opens with voice and light drums, has piano and guitar solos, call and response between voice and guitar, and a little tasteful scat added to the mix.  Other tracks include Orange Coloured Sky; Shanghai; Day By Day; Love Me Or Leave Me; Perhaps, Perhaps; and the final track is a slow version of Secret Love.  Enjoy!
The CD, due for release in September, actually showcases songs from a new musical play, Secret Love, which is set to tour the UK this Autumn.  The play celebrates the life and music of Doris Day.  For more details about Claudia Morris, the CD and the play, go to www.claudiamorris-music.com
Ann Alex.
PS: Worth adding to your Xmas list

1 comment :

Lance said...

Love the line in Shanghai (first DD record I ever bought)
"Why don't you stop me when I talk about Shanghai,
I'm even allergic to rice!"

Blog Archive