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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

17904 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 225 of them this year alone and, so far, 72 this month (March 24).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

Sat 29: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 29: Doris Day Story @ Phoenix Theatre, Blyth. 7:30pm.
Sat 29: Squabble! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 30: Jan Spencelayh & Dave Archbold @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 30: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 30: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 30: Jamil Sheriff Trio w. Nadim Teimoori @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 31: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

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

Sunday, August 20, 2017

CD Review: Julian Costello Quartet - Transitions

Julian Costello (tenor/soprano); Maciek Pysz (guitars); Yuri Goloubev (bass); Adam Teixeira (drums).
(Review by Lance/Drawing by Alban Low).
Thoughtful and compelling, that was my first reaction upon hearing Waves, the opening track. Costello's long drawn out notes convey waves of sound - not to be confused with sheets of the same. His tone is well-rounded, the sound languorous, sonorous, punctuated by a couple of jaunty notes before returning to the serious business in hand. Globe favourite Pycz -  the quartet are there on October 7, put it in your diaries now! - adds his contribution and it's no mere '2 bits' worth. There's no break between Waves and Ducks and I thought the machine was playing tricks when track 2 flashed up.
No, Ducks it was and, although the same ponderous mood was retained, Costello became more expansive, flashing the notes around the way tenor players are expected to do.
Soprano unpacked for Corners - a short opus that revealed Costello's tone to be equally attractive on the higher pitched instrument. Again, no track break - this really is cutting corners.
Soprano remains loaded for A Manic Episode and Costello is off to the races at Formula 2 speed. Teixeira brings him back to allow Pysz a piece of the cake. On Spanish guitar for this one, he too hits the accelerator before fading into Track 5 - Tongue in Cheek. As the title implies a quirky theme with some strange moments and some equally beautiful soprano moments and guitar injections. Drums forever feeling the mood and double bass likewise.
Eureka! I've got it! The clue is in the title Transitions. That's why there are no breaks. You can't break with transition.
I'm happier now that that's sorted. Sorry folks, you've just got to have patience with me and, by coincidence, the next number is Patience. I don't know if this particular Patience is a lady, a state of tolerance or a card game for one. It could probably apply to all three. If it's a lady, she's very beautiful. If it's tolerance, it's worth waiting for and if it's a card game you've been dealt the perfect sequence. Whatever, I'm sure Julian will enlighten us at The Jazz Coop gig on October 7.
Earworm - I thought I was still listening to Patience - followed then we modulated into Buraki I Ziemmiak (don't ask me!) at 7.23 the longest track has more impressive tenor and some unison sax/guitar passages. Changing moods abound and Pysz demonstrates why he is revered so much by guitar buffs. As ever drums and bass provide the all-essential support.
Mirage is in two parts with the first being an extended intro featuring more Spanish sounds from Pysz. Poignant. Costello joins him on part two. Panettone brings Goloubev to the fore and he seizes the moment well before Costello adds some tenor lyricism.
Walking Through the Jungle - what can I say that I haven't already said? Pysz is in an out and out swing mood here setting the scene for more fine tenor.
The disc finishes off with a short reprise of Corners
It's an interesting and, at times, quite compelling album and whilst I (now) appreciate the seamless transition between tracks I'd still have preferred some time to assimilate what I'd just heard. However, that's just me and I'm sure I'll be in the minority.
Recommended!
Lance.
Transitions by the Julian Costello Quartet is (or soon will be) available on 33Jazz records number 268.
The band play at The Globe, Newcastle on October 7. £10 (£8 in advance).

1 comment :

Anonymous said...

Julian Costello and Maciek Pysz are leading the Play Jazz! workshop on that Saturday afternoon 2 til 6., venue Sage. See jazz.coop website, click learning, for full details and how to buy tickets. sheila.herrick@jazz.coop

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