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Bebop Spoken There

Stan Woodward: ''We're part of the British jazz scene, but we don't play London jazz. We play Newcastle jazz. The Knats album represents many things, but most importantly that Newcastle isn't overlooked". (DownBeat, April 2025).

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

17945 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 266 of them this year alone and, so far, 22 this month (April 8).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Mon 14: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 14: Zoë Gilby Quintet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 15: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Michael Young, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 16: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 16: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 16: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 17: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Only Six Standards.
Thu 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

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, October 06, 2016

CD Review: Carol Bach-y-Rita: Minha Casa (My House)

Carol Bach-y-Rita (vocals); Larry Koonse (guitar); Bill Cantos (piano); John Leftwich (bass); Mike Shapiro (drums, perc); Dudu Fuentes (perc on 1 track).
(Review by Ann Alex)
A fine polished CD of standards and originals by a talented singer and stellar musicians, some of whose names are familiar to me from other items on BSH, not really sure where or when. The cover information includes a basic description of each track, eg Nature Boy,’voice, drum duet, improvised, which is very helpful. A crafty reviewer, (not allowed on BSH!) could have written a review without listening, but that would have meant missing a treat.
Carol Bach-y-Rita has an international outlook, having lived in several countries, and is heavily influenced by Brazilian rhythms.  Her formative years in Northern California included a European tour whilst living in Paris. Work in radio and TV  also sidelined her musical ambitions hence this, I think, being only her second CD.
Now for a rundown of each track.  Morning Coffee (Bill Cantos):  a lively samba with a fast, snappy piano solo, clever lyrics (you're my morning coffee, English breakfast, etc’) and well-blended scat, which fits the tune and is not merely a clever additive.
You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To: with guitar and drums and a slow 6/8 feel
A Night In Tunisia: Scat, percussion and piano, ringing ‘eastern’ guitar and fast words with clever diction.
Tis Autumn: warm guitar, brushed drums, straight-ahead singing.
The Dry Cleaner From Des Moines: (Joni Mitchell/Mingus) done as a samba-reggae
Nature Boy: my favourite track, a fine voice/drum improvisation
Trust: a Bach-y-Rita original, sung to an unusual Maracatu rhythm
Pra Quem Quiser Me Visitar: a pleasant song about heaven in Spanish (or Portuguese?).
Gardening With No Pants: an original by our singer, voice only, and percussion from Fuentes, exciting listening.
Love Look Away: A love song, re-arranged to be a modal version, from major to minor.
While My Lady Sleeps: piano and voice duet, a very romantic ending to a great CD.
Ann Alex.
Now available on, UPC 888295487788 – Samples.
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1 comment :

Steven T said...

Great cover, or is that alpha-male locker-room banter. Think I'll go and punch a colleague.

Monday, October 10, 2016 2:36:00 pm

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