Norrbotten Big Band: Joakin Milder (trn/md).
Django Bates (pno); Peter Eldh (bs); Martin France (dms).
I stay start but in fact the whole shebang actually started earlier on the Concourse when the Northern Monkey Brass Band (pictured left) made their way to the stage, meandering individually from various nooks and crannies of the vast space. A trumpet to the left of us, a trombone to the right, a bass drum that seemingly walked across the water and others emerging from out of nowhere until, eventually, they converged as one on stage in a glorious cacophony of sound and the stomping proper began.
Lance (Photo courtesy of Ken Drew).
Django Bates (pno); Peter Eldh (bs); Martin France (dms).
(Review by Lance).
I'm unfamiliar with the music of Prefab Sprout. I shouldn't be, their "roots" are in the north east and, in my 9 - 5 days, I sold them many a guitar string - sometimes even a set - so I have no excuse. In truth, I'm none the wiser and the infatuation with them by this Swedish band remains a mystery. Nevertheless, the arrangements were good and the soloists impressive.
The big problem for me wasn't an audio one but a visual one. The rhythm section occupied the front of the stage with brass and reed sections obscured from view - at least they were from my seat in row D.
I could hear them but couldn't see them! I wanted to see the trumpets standing and reaching for the stars, the trombones blending mellifluously and the saxes weaving their intricate lines together as one. This they all did of course but it was like hearing a football match on radio rather than being in the stands.
That niggle aside it was an enjoyable set with some impressive drumming (mainly with mallets) by Lisbeth Diers.
Django Bates and cohorts took up their stance in front of the big band and Django treated us to his take on his "Dearly Beloved Bird". I'd heard him do this at a previous Sage concert with the quartet but this was the first time I'd heard him do it with a larger ensemble.
I enjoyed it. The mix of original takes on Charlie Parker associated numbers such as Donna Lee, Ah Leu Cha, Star Eyes, My Little Suede Shoes, Laura and Confirmation along with Bates' own The Study of Touch and We're Not Lost We Are Simply Finding Our Way made this an interesting start to the festival.
I stay start but in fact the whole shebang actually started earlier on the Concourse when the Northern Monkey Brass Band (pictured left) made their way to the stage, meandering individually from various nooks and crannies of the vast space. A trumpet to the left of us, a trombone to the right, a bass drum that seemingly walked across the water and others emerging from out of nowhere until, eventually, they converged as one on stage in a glorious cacophony of sound and the stomping proper began.
Later, on the Concourse, we left one Django for another - Djangologie.
After the intensity of Hall One this was like the first breath of spring. The quartet filling the area (and the air) with music. Nothing pretentious just good old fashioned (and I use that expression in the best possible way) swing. Nothing could follow that for me!
The Best Things in Life are Free? Sometimes they are!Lance (Photo courtesy of Ken Drew).
1 comment :
"Dearly Beloved Bird" with the big band was played beautifully, by fantastic musicians but I found it hard to enjoy. Music from the head not the heart? Bill Frisell though, saw him in Leeds last night, definitely from the heart, you're in for a treat! Steve
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