ACV @ Bridge Hotel May 18.

Andy Champion (double bass), Graeme Wilson (tenor & baritone saxophones), Paul Edis (keyboards), Mark Williams (guitar) & Adrian Tilbrook (drums)  

(Review by Steve H.)

There is a variation of an old Ronnie Scott joke which goes something like this  ‘I use my mother-in-law as a bouncer - instead of chucking them out she chucks them in’. Well never could a word be spoken truer in jest as Andy Champion’s mother-in-law Hilary and husband John were the stand-in box office staff for this very well attended ACV gig.  

For the first set of this Splinter gig the audience were treated to a world première of a composition that Andy had written that afternoon. The title was provided by drummer Adrian Tilbrook and appropriately named First Set. The piece began slowly with a minimalist drum solo, mainly on cymbals, before the double bass of the Champion joined in followed by Paul Edis on Keyboards. After several minutes, I began to worry that the presence of Graeme Wilson was purely for decorative purposes. Although he had yet to play a note, he was providing a great visual spectacle with his rather splendid floral shirt . However, once Graeme and Mark Williams joined the rhythm section,  the piece took off. Despite some understandable rough edges the band really hit the groove. The repeated smiles on Adrian’s face suggested he was having just as good a time as the paying crowd. Those I spoke to during the interval  were equally  amazed as to how such a complicated piece could be created and performed in a such a short  space of time. One audience member described the piece as ‘trippy’. 

The second set was more conventional in nature starting off with the whirlwind Dog Leap Stairs  named after the steep steps leading  from the Castle Keep to the Quayside. Personally I find the easiest way to navigate this descent/ascent is via the lift in the adjacent Vermont Hotel. The steps safely navigated, next up was an offering from the band’s last album ‘Busk’ which was proudly held  aloft by special guest door person mother-in-law Hilary. The art work of which features a rather splendid painting by her hubby John Say, the original of which now adorns the Champion's living room. This tune was going to be dedicated to audience member ‘Gordon’ but a last minute a change of plan meant it was dedicated to the chap sitting next to him who happened to be Andy Champion’s brother. No explanation was given but since the title was What’s for breakfast one can only imagine fraternal punch ups over the bacon and cornflakes, I look forward to the sequel - Breakfast of Champions. Following on from this were two Graeme Wilson penned tunes Sturdy and She Said it Ugly which was anything but and featured a fine solo from Edis on keyboards. The gig continued with the mellow Dust Red named after the Red Dust ale from the Consett brewery which led straight into the rip roaring  A Line Made By Walking  concluding the second and final set. A fine evening. Game, sets and match to ACV.  
 Steve H.