Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

August

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Saturday, September 06, 2014

Mica Paris @ Hoochie Coochie. Sept. 5

Mica Paris (vcl); Chris (keys); Kenny (gtr); ? (bs gtr); Mark (dms).
(Review by Lance.)
Another winner for Warren! Hoochie was a hotbed of heaving humanity last night as the most sensational soul singer I've ever seen strutted her stuff to the delight of us sardines - yes it was a capacity crowd!
I can't put a name to all the tunes - with Mica in such close proximity, at a time like this who keeps score?
How could I write whilst clapping, waving my arms and applauding?
Where is the Love? was one of the early ones - the love was all around the stage! I Put a Spell on You. PD reminded me that it was written and originally recorded by Screamin' Jay Hawkins although I'd always associated it with Alan Price and Nina Simone. From now on, it belongs to Ms. Paris. I Should Have Known Better, My Worst Temptation, You Make me Feel Brand New just some of the others.
This lady gives 100% and then some! A fantastic voice and a great stage presence.
Regrettably, I didn't catch all the band members' names - so if someone can help out please do so. Names or no names they were what I would expect from an act of this calibre. Keyboardist Chris produced piano and organ sounds as well as horn section-like riffs. Guitarist Kenny - not only a cool looking dude but an ace bluesman to boot. Bass guitar at the heart of things and drummer Mark laid down all the right grooves.
This was one for the book, one to tell your grandchildren about, one to tell the whole wide world about.
Come back again soon!
Photos. 
Lance.
PS: And when the lady asked for a high chair, guess who got it for her? The smile she gave me was worth the effort!

2 comments :

Ian Douglas (on F/b) said...

It was a great gig. If I'd realised it was you that gave her the chair I'd have said hello

Hugh said...

I too, didn't recognise the caped crusader who passed her the chair. Though even if you had said hello, Ian, Lance would have been unable to hear you!

It was a good gig, though I think it could have been better with slightly less amplifcation - Mica's voice was distorting in quite a few of the songs. There was however (I'm perhaps showing my age here!) a lot of audience noise (i.e. talking) to contend with during the music.

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