Madwort Sax Quartet Tom Ward (alto sax); Chris Williams (alto & soprano saxes); Mark Hanslip (tenor sax); Cath Roberts (baritone sax)
(Review by By Steve H/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew).
Saxophone quartets don’t come round very often so it was no surprise to see a large audience assembled at The Bridge on Sunday night. The structure allows the interplay between the ranges of saxophone – baritone, tenor, alto and soprano to provide a fascinating rhythmic and harmonic canvas.
All the compositions played on Sunday were written by bandleader Tom Ward although my favourite of the evening After Joshua was actually based on a Joshua Redmond tune. The band tended to play solos over the top of a backing rhythm provided in the main by the fabulous Kath Roberts on the baritone. Every so often a solo would rise out of the general maelstrom to illuminate the auditorium. Chris Williams, a frequent visitor to Tyneside, excelled on both soprano and alto in this respect. Mark Hanslip, depping for Madwort regular Andrew Woolf, did a sterling job on the tenor.
My only reservation about this very well received performance was that with 4 great saxophonists on stage I would have hoped for some serious pyrotechnics which never seemed to materialise, having said one of the more tender numbers On the opening of a dwarf sunflower was also one of the most enjoyable.
All the compositions played on Sunday were written by bandleader Tom Ward although my favourite of the evening After Joshua was actually based on a Joshua Redmond tune. The band tended to play solos over the top of a backing rhythm provided in the main by the fabulous Kath Roberts on the baritone. Every so often a solo would rise out of the general maelstrom to illuminate the auditorium. Chris Williams, a frequent visitor to Tyneside, excelled on both soprano and alto in this respect. Mark Hanslip, depping for Madwort regular Andrew Woolf, did a sterling job on the tenor.
My only reservation about this very well received performance was that with 4 great saxophonists on stage I would have hoped for some serious pyrotechnics which never seemed to materialise, having said one of the more tender numbers On the opening of a dwarf sunflower was also one of the most enjoyable.
Earlier in the evening local group The Noize Choir performed a highly entertaining set. The group use a full range of vocal effects including breathing, coughing, wailing and humming in conjunction with microphones to produce a series of evocative percussive pieces. They literally performed the coolest piece of live music I had ever seen – this took the form of each choir member consuming an ice lolly and transmitting the effects through their microphones. The last member to finish off their popsicle gargled a magnificent solo to complete the number. This memorable performance seemed to be thoroughly enjoyed by all present – eat your heart out Gareth Malone.
Steve H.
4 comments :
And there was me, sitting at home listening to Stan Getz - sometimes you can win ' em all!
Really terrific evening - loved both halves. Steve you forgot to mention the Noize Choir's surprising sounds of 11 (home-made by Lindsay) ice lollies being simultaneously sucked and chomped.
I did but it seemed to have got lost in the edit!
'They literally performed the coolest piece of live music I had ever seen – this took the form of each choir member consuming an ice lolly and transmitting the effects through their microphones. The last member to finish off their popsicle gargled a magnificent solo to complete the number.'
Sorry Diane/Steve. Not sure what happened but it is now corrected and thank you both for drawing my attention to it.
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