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

18383 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 247 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 17 ), 57

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

Mon 30: Gerry Richardson Quartet @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 30: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

CD Review: Gypsies of Bohemia - GYP POP

Matthew Whitaker (vcl/rhythm gtr.); Jim Wallace (ld gtr); Frank Grime (bs); Sam Draper (dms); Andy Stamatakis-Brown (piano).
(Review by Lance).
If you heard the Gypsies of Bohemia at the Jazz Café on Saturday night you've probably already bought this CD although it must be said that, unlike so many bands, they didn't ram the merchandise down your throat. Nothing more off-putting! The gig was great and so is the CD.

One of the most appealing aspects of  the Bohemians is their ability to take tunes I might otherwise have dismissed out of hand (purist that I am!), such as Blondie's Heart of Glass, and shape it into their inimitable style. But, not only that, it also enables me to view the originals with a less jaundiced eye - Damascus here I come!
However, the core of the music - irrespective of the source - is very mucho manouche with the Maccas thrashing away ably supported by piano bass and drums. All five are musicians to reckon with.
If I must choose a fave track, by narrowest of margins, it's what they do to Britney! It's Toxic! The cool laid back take, the tempo changes, I hope the guys won't think I'm underselling it by merely describing it as wonderful! 'cos that's what it is - and so is the album
So, if you procrastinated on buying the album or going to the gig, put it on your Xmas list. Nah put it on your Guy Fawkes list. Nah put it on your Halloween list. Tell you what - put it on your today list and walk around ASDA with a smile knowing these other people are spending their bread on Bread!
Go to the check out.
Lance.

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