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Bebop Spoken There

Kurt Elling: ''There's something to learn from every musician you play with''. (DownBeat, December 2024).

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

17630 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 16 years ago. 904 of them this year alone and, so far, 49 this month (Dec. 20).

From This Moment On ...

December

Tue 24: Lindsay Hannon & Mark Williams @ Ernest, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 11:00am-1:00pm. Free.
Tue 24: Paul Skerritt @ Mambo Wine & Dine, South Shields. 1:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.

Wed 25: Wot? No jazz!

Thu 26: The Boneshakers @ Tyne Bar, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free. The 17th annual Boneshakers’ Shindig.

Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free. Business as usual!.
Fri 27: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 27: Michael Woods @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sat 28: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 11:30am. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 28: Fri 20: Castillo Nuevo @ Revoluçion de Cuba, Newcastle. 5:30pm. Free.
Sat 28: Jude Murphy, Rich Herdman & Giles Strong @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sat 28: Ray Stubbs R & B All-Stars @ Billy Bootlegger’s, Stepney Bank, Newcastle. 9:00pm. Free.

Sun 29: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 29: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 30: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Wheatsheaf, Benton Sq., Whitley Road, Palmersville NE12 9SU. Tel: 0191 266 8137. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 30: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 4:00-6:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

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

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Miles Ahead for the jazz junkie

(Review by Russell)
Of course you’ve heard of this rock star but you don’t really know his music. You’re persuaded to go on a date to the cinema to see the new biopic based upon the life and times of this legendary figure. The lead actor looks like him, doesn’t he? He played a trombone, no, a trumpet, didn’t he? The sets look like they are out of a seventies’ cop series with hip dude dialogue. Lots of motherf***** this and motherf***** that. The journalist character is chasing a story. The rock star isn’t keen to play ball. A Jimmy Cagney car chase, Batman and Robin fisticuffs (split lips, not good for a trombonist).

So what’s the story? A stolen session tape, crooked record executive types, guns, the quest to recover what is rightfully the rockstar’s amidst a serious drug habit. The story slight, the soundtrack excellent, Don Cheadle as Miles Davis is convincing. Is it worth seeing Miles Ahead? If you’re a jazz fan, yes, but don’t expect too much. If you don’t know anything about Miles and his music you could be forgiven for wondering what
the f*** the fuss is about.   

That first date to the cinema could be the first and last. S/he could well conclude you’re some kind of jazz weirdo and decide that watching Eastenders is a better bet.      
Russell            
Miles Ahead - Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle. Times.

1 comment :

stevebfc said...

Have to agree with Russell on this one. Film never really establishes why Miles was such an innovator and all time great. As a film it may be ok (although plot described above a bit tedious)but as a celebration of the man and his music I was left underwhelmed.

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