Total Pageviews

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 26, 2017

CD Review: Courtney Pine - Black Notes From The Deep

Courtney Pine (tenor/bass flute/EWI); Omar (vocal); Robert Mitchell (piano ); Alec Dankworth (bass); Rod Youngs (drums) + Ed Bentley (organ - 1 tk); Chris Cobbson (guitar - 1 tk); Charleen Hamilton (backing vocals),
(Review by Lance).
Kill the fattened calf, the prodigal son has returned! Yes, after ten years in the wilderness squandering his talents on soprano saxophones and bass clarinets, Courtney has returned to his first love, the tenor saxophone. Let jazz fans rejoice and spread the word across the land - Courtney's back and blowing better than ever. Perhaps the bass clarinet years were a form of sabbatical where he sought to rediscover his inner soul before coming to the conclusion that it was time to not just get back into the race, but to win it.
Soulful tenor, tender at times, full of emotion but, when the going gets tough, he's as tough as any tenor ever. Tremendous playing - a bass clarinet just can't handle this much heat even though CP coped with it better than most. Bass flute is more to my ears and, On a Change is Sure to Come, it fits the mood to perfection.
You'll gather that I'm impressed! However, don't go away thinking this is all about the tenor saxophone. No sir! Four tracks feature vocals by Omar. At the recent Sage Gateshead concert Russell, like Stevie Wonder before him, was particularly impressed by the soul singer - You and Stevie Wonder, Russell - On the strength of this album, me too!
Robert Mitchell has never made a bad record in his life (if he has then I haven't heard it) and I doubt if Courtney could have found anyone more compatible. Dankworth and Youngs do what's asked as they always do. Special mention also for Cobbson's guitar solo on The Morning After the Night Before.
I initially viewed the album with some trepidation which, by this time, you'll have gathered turned out to be totally unfounded. So much so, I can't wait to play it again even though I've got a double CD by Cécile McLorin Salvant waiting in the wings!
Lance.

No comments :

Blog Archive