Debra Milne (vocals); Steve Glendinning (guitar, vocals); Katy Trigger (bass, vocals); Paul Wight (drums)
(Review/photo of Charts by Russell/Band photos courtesy of Ken Drew)
Vocalist Debra Milne and guitarist Steve Glendinning's recently formed quartet serves as a performance vehicle for their songwriting collaborations. A recording session produced material worthy of release and this gig at Charts on Newcastle Quayside marked the official launch of their MGB EP.
Charts, part of the Pub Culture business venture, has been a supporter of jazz from the day it first opened its doors earlier this year. An established weekly jazz jam session, a new blues jam session in the offing, the swish riverfront hostelry proved to be the ideal choice of venue for the occasion.
One change in the line-up - Paul Wight depping on drums - otherwise it was the regular quartet; Milne, Glendinning and bassist Katy Trigger. Show Me the Man sang Milne, the sound balance just right on the mezzanine floor performance space, following up with another original composition (Don't Come Round Here), the title of which wasn't so much an oblique Ellingtonian observation, more a command! No messin'!
Milne's lyrics to a ballad written by piano maestro Alan Glen (Easy Go), a swipe at Trump's hard-core support (Most People) with Glendinning and Trigger taking it out with their effective backing vocals, MGB's first set was a varied affair.
Another pint of Radgie Gadgie, a look at some of the many artworks adorning Charts' back-to-the-brick walls (including framed LP covers...Miles Davis' Kind of Blue, Eric Dolphy's Out to Lunch, Lee Morgan's Sidewinder), and MGB's second set was soon upon us.
Too Busy for Thinking (a Milne-Bradley Johnston co-composition) resumed matters. Boppish with a kind of Hendricks, Lambert and Ross feel about it, then straight into another Milne-Johnston piece titled Soulmate. Depping drummer Paul Wight set up a Blakey-esque march on Killer Joe, Glendinning killing, Milne scatting, and out. The MGB EP launch evening closed with the familiar Blame Game.
Russell.
No comments :
Post a Comment