Chris Williams (alto
sax); Moss Freed (guitar); Ruth Goller (bass); Finlay Panter (drums).
(Review by Steve H/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew).
Having returned recently from New Orleans, the jazz capital of the
world, it was refreshing to see a contemporary modern jazz band playing in the
jazz capital of the UK. Don’t get me wrong the music in New Orleans is
magnificent with musicians playing on every corner 24/7. The main music
sidewalk Frenchman Street has dozens of bars with live music all seeming to
feature several bands a night. However, the music tends to be of the ‘tourist
variety’- entertaining but nothing to write home about.
A good sized crowd gathered at the Jazz Cafe on Tuesday to listen to Let
Spin for what proved to be a triumphant return to Tyneside having performed so
successfully at their gig last year at The Bridge. All four
band members have had successful careers with other bands:- Chris
Williams is a founder member of Led Bib, Moss Freed has his own outfit Moss
Project, Ruth Goller is a member of Acoustic Ladyland, and Finlay Panter hails
from the Beats & Pieces Big Band.
This band, though, appears to bear testament to the old adage of the sum
being greater than its parts. All members share the writing credits, indeed
each member has 2 compositions on their new album LET GO. The band
seem to thoroughly revel in their collectivity with one another, with no single
member hogging the limelight. Apart from Goller’s eclectic slightly minimalist
piece All Animals are Beautiful, the tunes all seem to follow
the same path. Starting off with a bit of drum and bass groove and just as one
is getting comfortable they suddenly explode into a technicoloured whirlpool of
exhilarating driving heavy rocking jazz which lifts the listener to a different
stratosphere. It is hard and maybe a little unfair to single any one number out
but the second set rendition of Up and at Em was truly
outstanding with Finlay Panter on drums really giving it his all. At the end of
the gig I’m sure I heard cheers of appreciation from the audience. All they
need to do now maybe is add a couple of ballads to their repertoire to become
the perfect band.
Steve.
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