Graeme Wilson (ten); Paul Edis (pno); Andy Champion (bs); Adam Sinclair (dms).(Review by Lance)
Fiery, contemporary yet always with that essential sense of swing whether up front or implied. Close you're eyes and you're in the Vortex, the 606 or Ronnie's. Keep them closed and you're in Birdland, or the Village Vanguard. This isn't fanciful thinking - these four guys could cut it anywhere. Tonight it was the weekly Splinter session at the Bridge Hotel, Newcastle and it was totally compelling.
A selection of originals by Wilson, most of which we'd heard before in various settings, but which never sounded better than in this format.
Each one told a story - Street of Furs (the garment district of New York); Offissa Pupp (a cartoon character); Pontoon (a floating pier in Scotland); The Sycamore (a rundown cinema in Blyth with a tree growing out of the roof); Searchlight Nevada (a town where the Coltrane Quartet got lost); New Wallow (that cinema again); Ramora (?) and Cool Fudge. The latter title is self explanatory and featured Edis, high on Russell's review of his solo album, putting the Roland effectively into B3 mode albeit without the forearm smashes that that particular model of Hammond is often subjected to. Elsewhere he was mainly in piano mode which was merely magnificent.
On bass, Andy remained the undefeated Champion whilst Adam Sinclair is a contender for number one drummer anywhere.
And Wilson? Composer par excellence and a purveyor of giant Coltranic steps on tenor. A blistering technique and a sound that hits you full on
To top an excellent evening, the driver of the 27 bus saw me running (ish) and waving forlornly at his accelerating vehicle. You've gotta believe this but he actually stopped and let me on!
Bus driver of the year along with the band of the year - well one of them...
Photos.
Photos.
Lance
1 comment :
Great band. And that last number is a gem - I think Graeme said it was titled Honolulus.
Roly
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