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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

From This Moment On

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Friday, February 21, 2014

CD Review: Pat Metheny Unity Group – Kin (<->)

Pat Metheny (electric & acoustic guitars, guitar synth, electronics, orchestrionics, synths); Chris Potter  (tenor sax, bass clarinet, soprano sax, clarinet, alto flute, bass flute); Antonio Sanchez (drums and cajon); Ben Williams (acoustic and electric bass); Giulio Carmassi ( piano, trumpet, trombone, french horn, cello, vibes, clarinet, flute, recorder, alto sax, wurlitzer, whistling and vocals).
(Review by Steve H.)
This album is classic Pat Metheny for those who are familiar with his work and for those who are not this is a great place to start. The opening track on the album On Day One  is an extended rip roaring ensemble fusion piece with hints of Steve Reich style passages utilizing a variety of electronic wizardry, hand claps and anything else the band can get their hands on. Midway through the track there is a pyrotechnic saxophone solo from Chris Potter and the finale ends with some atmospheric vocals.
Rise Up begins with a Latin feel acoustic guitar solo and soon livens up with some high energy playing. Another Metheny solo, this time on electric guitar, leads us into a blast by Chris Potter before we end once more on a vocal led exit. After these wild opening tracks we are brought down to earth again by the almost classical piece Adagia. Sign of the Season is a fairly gentle bass led number. The title track Kin (ß à)  showcases  Metheny’s haunting guitar style, I am not sure what the left and right arrows stand for possibly the midpoint of the album? A beautiful ballad Born follows which is simply delicious. We Go On has a very catchy almost easy listening melody. Finally Kqu another eloquent ballad completes this thoroughly enjoyable album.
Steve H.

1 comment :

Bradley Johnston (on F/b) said...

Love that album!

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