Djangologie @ King’s Hall. October 2

Mick Shoulder (double bass), Emma Fisk (violin), James Birkett (guitar) & Giles Strong (guitar).

(Review by Russell).

The first lunchtime concert performance of the new academic year in King’s Hall. It couldn’t have got off to a better start. The place was packed to the rafters (that’s real   Old School rafters) and fresh-faced first year students in attendance were blown way listening to Djangologie. Wow! These guys are so cool  they said to themselves.

A female guitar student sat two rows from the front. I love Gypsy jazz she said. Bebop Spoken Here wondered if she had previously heard Djangologie. She said she hadn’t. Well, our guitar student was in for a treat. Blues for DR, Swing 39, who could ask for anything more?

Monsieur Mick Shoulder cheekily dismissed ‘70’s housewife favourite’ Sacha Distel, suggesting the Frenchman crooned ‘quite tunelessly’. Monsieur Shoulder was quick to acknowledge him as a fine jazz guitarist. Indeed he was. Check out Monsieur Distel’s jazz chops with John Lewis on the recent vinyl reissue Afternoon in Paris. So, Distel’s Ma Premiere Guitare proved a point; the man could compose (and play), if  not sing!

Cigano Bolero (comp. M.Shoulder) has rightly become a fixture in the set, featuring, as it does, rhythm king Giles Strong taking the lead. James Birkett played a blinder – what’s new? Emma Fisk – is there anyone finer? Nope! You will not hear better.

After the opening number a group of young (primary school) students filed-in, sat on the floor and were transfixed by the music and, quite possibly, perplexed as to how an adult could have such poor command of the French language (Monsieur Shoulder!). Joking aside, the kids from Moorside Community Primary School in Arthur’s Hill loved it!

As a finale, Mire Pral segued into Le Yeux Noir. It works every time – thunderous applause, encore won. Trés bon!   

Russell.