Bebop Spoken There

Dominick "Domo" Branch: ''Most people say drummers can't write, they're just time-keepers only beating on things. But I have a very musical brain.'' (DownBeat February, 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

18288 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 142 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 14), 42

From This Moment On ...

February

Sat 21: ???

Sun 22: Musicians Unlimited: Big Band Blast @ West Hartlepool RFC. 1:00-3:00pm . Free.
Sun 22: Joe Steels Group @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Sun 22: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Harben Kay Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: Joe Steels Group @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. A Blue Patch album tour.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 24: Finn-Keeble Group @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. £11.00.
Tue 24: Liam Oliver & Shayo Oshodi @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Geordie Jazz Jam @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Newcastle University jam session. All welcome.
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 26: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £6.50.
Thu 26: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00 adv.
Thu 26: Mick Cantwell Band @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Blues.

Fri 27: Joe Steels Group @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT! A Blue Patch album tour.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Radio Hito + Eddie Prévost, Silvain Schmid & Tom Wheatley @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £12.22., £10.10., £8.00.
Fri 27: Giacomo Smith w Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm.
Fri 27: Alan Barnes w. Mick Shoulder Trio @ The Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £15.00. Trio: Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).

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

Monday, June 27, 2016

Pat McMahon Trio @ The Tyne Bar. June 26

Pat McMahon (guitar & vocals), Ray Johns (keyboards) & Paul Wight (drums)
(Review by Russell)
Blues skies, sunshine. The Ouseburn waters low, ducks and swans meander on mudflats.
Moored boats, some tied-up since last century, a sorry state, they’re not going anywhere.
New build homes in a tranquil, waterside location, reserve your plot now. Yours for £££ Riverside Walk it’s called, and there’s a rather decent pub at the end of the street.
The Tyne Bar on Maling Street comes into its own on a day like this. Pub goers sit in the sun, some shelter from it in front of the outdoor stage. Yes, a Sunday afternoon gig at the Tyne Bar is the new Sunday lunch. Forget the kitchen drudgery and get down to the Tyne Bar to hear some blues, rocking blues or rockabilly, there’s always something to catch the ear.
Today Pat McMahon sang some songs. A rocking beat, swirling keys, the main man totes a Flying V. Nailing that rocking beat is Sid Wight. Yes, a familiar figure on the north east jazz scene, Sid or Paul – he answers to either – is nothing if not adaptable. On West Coast numbers PW is as good as any with brushes in hand, down at the Tyne Bar playing a rock heavy blues beat with sticks comes all too easy. Ray Johns has gigged with the big names yet is ready and willing to rattle the keys on a trio gig with Pat McMahon.
The beers were going down, the sun went in. The storm clouds gathered. McMahon opted to play his cherry red Gibson 335 on a Dion number to close out the first set. Your scribe decided to head for cover hoping to avoid what looked likely to be thunder and lightening before too long. Note to self: check out the Pat McMahon Trio at a pub gig (indoor) soon!     
Russell.  

1 comment :

Sid White (on F/b) said...

Didn't know you were their Russell thanks for a nice review .

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