(Review by Russell/Photos courtesy of Ken Drew)
The Lit & Phil’s monthly Friday lunchtime concert series attracts a loyal following. Most of the time those in attendance have a fair idea of what to expect – typically straight ahead, GASbook, swing, an occasional Hot Club set. February’s concert presented the Mark Williams Trio. Some would be acquainted with Williams’ work as a supreme guitar accompanist to the jazz singer, some less so with the Irishman’s propensity to occasionally crank it up. The presence of two pedal boards (one at the feet of Williams, the other at the feet of in-the-pocket bassist Paul Susans) indicated today’s performance would be a little different. What would the Lit & Phil’s patrons make of it all?
Last Bus to Bensham, the wonderfully weird Weird Waltz, and Good Answer, three numbers from Williams’ recently released CD Last Bus to Bensham segued into an opening section of twenty or so minutes. Our bandleader is a man of few words. Would he speak at all? Perhaps reluctantly, he did, albeit briefly. Scoff in Peace is a mélange of Megadeth, John Scofield and jazz chops aplenty. Brilliant playing all round with Williams conjuring dark, brooding lines, Paul Susans revelling in the groove, and the man in the middle, Russ Morgan, giving another masterful display behind the kit.
Our man of few words likes a pithy title. By the Bye, Near ’Nuff and – hear the Irish brogue – Adare Say. From heavy groove into swing time jazz and out again, this was advanced stuff executed with an enviable nonchalance. So, what did the Lit & Phil’s regulars make of it all? They loved it! The full house showed its appreciation. Next month – Friday, 16 March – it’s the James Harrison Trio. Best advice is to arrive in good time for a one o’clock start, it's likely another sellout.
Russell
To obtain a copy of Mark Williams’ Last Bus to Bensham CD visit:
3 comments :
*Megadeth . Interesringly some of the original Megadeth line up were jazz fusion musicians.
Spelling now corrected - thank you.
Many assume Megadeth are just more heavy metal fools, but they're far from it with Mustaines Beefheartian vocals and the afore-mentioned proper musicians.
The cool metalheads prefer them to Metallica, from whom Mustaine was forcibly removed for being too crazy, and the really cool metalheads won't listen to Metallica.
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