Djangologie @ The Lit & Phil. September 12

Mick Shoulder (contrabasse), Emma Fisk (violon), James Birkett (guitare) & Giles Strong (guitare rythmique)

(Review by Russell).

Monsieur M.Shoulder ‘Sur contrabasse et les announces inutiles.’ So said the programme notes written by the man himself. Francophile Djangologist Mick Shoulder is getting into all things Django in a big way. Impenetrable notes, incomprehensible announcements (in pigeon French), whatever next…berets? Come to think of it, a beret-wearing fan took his seat in a packed-out Lit and Phil, no doubt leaving his bicycle outside, onions drying out under a strong September sun.

The man Django kick-started the one hour set in the salon-setting of the Loftus Room as Minor Swing proved a major hit. James Birkett took the opening solo to huge applause and at the tune’s conclusion the decibel count went off the scale. So much so it prompted Shoulder to advise everyone to calm down as there was one hour’s worth of this stuff! An original Shoulder composition – Blues for DR – began with a lazy swing feel (a vocalist could have stepped-up) until the quartet switched gear with yet more dazzling playing. A second Django number (one of only two in the programme) , the classic Swing 39, made this a gig to die for. Ma Premiere Guitare (comp. Brousolle and Distel) followed, as did the old warhorse China Boy. Monsieur Shoulder’s Cigano Bolero heard master rhythm maker Giles Strong at his best and a new one from the bandleader – Silapa Swing – is sure to take its place as a regular in the pad.

Is Mademoiselle Emma Fisk the best Hot Club violinist on the planet? You bet she is! If there is anyone better I’ll give you a fiver of LL’s money. Dark Eyes is one helluva way to end a gig and Djangologie know how to go out on a high. They flew so high – soloists and ensemble. Monsieur Birkett played the impossible and Mademoiselle Fisk kept LL’s fiver safe. Grab your beret and head down to the Globe on Railway Street in Newcastle’s West End on Saturday 4th October to hear the band again. £9.00. admission and as a bonus you get a Lindy jazz dance set from those who can dance (as opposed to those who think they can but can’t). Très bon!          

AND THEY’RE AT THE CHERRY TREE TONIGHT! (Monday Sept. 15) Allez Vite! 

Russell.