Carleen Anderson @ Sage Gateshead - June 29

Carleen Anderson (vocals, vocal harmoniser & piano), Orphy Robinson (vibes & cajón), Emma Smith (violin), Renell Shaw (bass) & Crispin Robinson (percussion).

(Review by Russell)

The Young Disciple is taking her story to the people. Cage Street Memorial - The Pilgrimage, is Carleen Anderson’s reflections on life and heritage. American born, British resident, Anderson, daughter of Vicki Anderson, has come a long way since her days with Gilles Peterson’s Talkin’ Loud record label. Anderson greeted Sage Gateshead: Good evening congregation!

This Sage Gateshead performance presented heavyweight material in an unaffected, accessible manner, the audience drawn to the focal point - Anderson’s voice. Seated at an upright piano, it became clear that Anderson’s Cage Street Memorial narrative was a personal project; a journey through childhood years, respect for paternal grandparents, documenting civil rights, exile. Jazz, gospel, soul, Anderson sang with passion, alternating between vocal mic and vocal harmoniser, the latter generating ten or more Andersons in vocal harmony. Ms Anderson wasted little time in introducing the band; ‘master of the vibes’ Orphy Robinson, ‘bass virtuoso’ Renell Shaw (a name new to Bebop Spoken Here), in-demand percussionist Crispin Robinson, and Emma Smith. The fact that violinist Smith (Elysian Quartet, Basquiat Strings) depped with little more than two hours’ notice is quite remarkable. Anderson informed the audience that she met Smith for the first time backstage at Sage Gateshead.

Upwards From the Ground, All That Glitters (referencing Charlie Parker and Rachmaninoff), five-string electric bassist Shaw in an oh-so-subtle groove from beginning to end, Ms Anderson didn’t say much, the music spoke for her. Cage Street Memorial passionate, Anderson wringing a vocal on and off mic. Orphy Robinson’s balanced contribution ceded to Anderson’s developing narrative, Sage Two’s audience rapt. Chapter Then - Chapter Next a highlight, the blues-soul voice central, vibes and violin working either side, Shaw and Robinson probing, the stage belonged to Carleen Anderson.

Sage Two’s intimate, tiered design came into its own at this small scale concert. A performance of warmth and intimacy, the subject matter of great import. Anderson thanked her congregation.             Russell.