Matt Holborn (violin); Kourosh Kanani (guitar); Jérémie Coullon (guitar); Simon Read (bass).
(Review by Lance).
Yet another band of 'gypsies' ensuring that the spirit of Django lives and that selling Hot Club music is more rewarding than selling clothes pegs or telling fortunes. Not that these guys are actually of Romani stock although, as Holborn was born in Yorkshire and raised in Scotland, Kanoni is of Irish/Iranian descent and Coullon claims to be the only Frenchman born in Reading it's fair to say their ancestors probably had a bit of gypsy in their soul. As for Read, he's played so many gigs in so many styles that maybe he's as much a gypsy as anyone whose palm has been crossed with silver.
This style of music is probably even more popular now than it was back in the pre-war years - certainly in the UK where it seems that every major city has its quota; the northeast being no exception with Emma Fisk's Hot Club du Nord and Mick Shoulder's Swing Manouche being two outstanding examples.
Latchepen (Romani for happiness and contentment) is well-named for the spirit of latchepen positively exudes from the playing of this London based quartet. The guitars thrashing relentlessly away like the pistons of the Paris-Bordeaux TGV. The violin serving the wine, the double bass the à la carte.
Not that it's all allez! allez! allez! The tenderness of I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry is emotive enough to fill a washing line full of tears.
A mix of standards; Love Letters; I'll Be Seeing You; I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry.
Two jazz classics: Whisper Not by Benny Golson and Jaki Byard's Chandra.
Four originals by Holborn: Second Avenue; Thunkette; Captain Summer; My Laughing Heart.
One original by Konani: Koo Koo.
Not your average Hot Club fare and no 'clouds' in sight. Well worth checking out.
Lance.
1 comment :
I loved it!
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