(Review by Ann Alex/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew)
It felt as if we were in sunny climes, not in cold Newcastle, as the band seemed to transport us abroad by way of bossa nova, bolero, the tunes of Horace Silver, Jobim, Chic Corea and even Stevie Wonder.
It all began with One Note Samba, a clever set of lyrics about coming back to that one note and also to ‘you’, right through to such songs as Little Sunflower; Afro Blue; 500 Miles High; Sting’s Consider Me Gone; Senor Blues; Corcovado; Spooky; Temptation (Tom Waits) and a couple of songs in Spanish. And each song performed by Debra with sweet-voiced rhythm, and superb solos from each band member.
Alan claimed to have found new organ-like sounds on the piano, to go with his wonderfully adventurous playing: Steve played soprano, tenor and baritone sax (his newest instrument) with aplomb, as well as adding one or two shakey items to the percussion: Katie was as skilled as ever on bass, with a clever bass solo on Spooky: and Nick did the percussion proud with some enthusiastic hand drumming on Afro Blue (on congas) and also delightful sounds on triangle during Corcovado, as well as playing the regular kit.
I was sorry to have to leave during what I supposed was the last number, to go outside into cold Newcastle, but, with a bit of the sun inside me from hearing the music, the temperature wasn’t too low.
Ann Alex
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