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Bebop Spoken There

Van Morrison: ''Basically, I'm coming from jazz. Not pop, not rock, not what's commercial. That's where I started, and that's still where I am. I feel the same as I did when I was listening to Louis Armstrong, Lead Belly, Jelly Roll Morton''. (The Northern Echo, 12 June 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

18037 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 458 of them this year alone and, so far, 36 this month (June 11).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sun 15: Lewis Watson Quartet @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:00pm.
Sun 15: Under the Wellie @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 15: Hannah Brine Quartet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 16: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.
Mon 16: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 18: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 18: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:30pm. Free. Concert performance (open to the public)..
Wed 18: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 19: Gareth John & the SOS Big Band @ The Forum Music Centre, Darlington. 7:00pm. £25.00.

Fri 20: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 20: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 20: David Gray's Flextet @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 20: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Alnwick Playhouse. 7:30pm. £21.50. ‘Time After Time’.br/> Fri 20: Alexia Gardner Quintet @ Sunderland Minster. 7:30pm.
Fri 20: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Ouseburn, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. Superb Chicago blues band.

Sat 21: Milne Glendinning Band @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Red Kites Jazz @ Staithes Café, Dunston. 7:00-9:00pm. Free.
Sat 21: Papa G’s Troves @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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, January 17, 2019

CD Review: Howard McCrary - Moments Like This.

Howard McCrary (piano/vocals); Mike Burney (saxes); Josh McCalla (guitar); Roger Innis (bass); Tim Jones (drums).
(Review by Lance).

If, like this reviewer, Howard McCrary has bypassed your radar then you can update yourself on him and this session here.

Recorded live at the Birmingham branch of Ronnie's back in 1993, Moments Like This remained in the vaults, unissued until now, which, after listening, you may consider criminal. McCrary was, and hopefully still is (he now lives in Hong Kong*), an incredible talent both as pianist and singer. He can shout the blues and caress a ballad with the best - sometimes he caresses the blues and shouts the ballads. Over the Rainbow is totally over the top although his sensitive piano intro via another Arlen tune from the Wiz of Oz - If I Only Had a Brain - maintains the balance.

Saxman Burney blows fine sax (mainly tenor) with guitar adding his two bits backed by bass and drums that do no harm at all. Truth is, one of the mega moments is the first chorus of the Ray Evans/Jay Livingstone classic I Was a Little Too Lonely (and you were a little too late). Taken faster than the Nat 'King' Cole version, bass and voice gel perfectly before bringing in the others and another super sax solo.

Whilst it's great to discover new talent, it's even better to hit on an older talent, such as McCrary, that you've missed out on before it's too late (for either of us!) It's a bit like finding gold in them there hills and this gem is 24 karat.
Lance
*I wonder if he's ever gigged at Ned Kelly's?
Would You?; Hurry on Down; Goin' to Chicago; Moody's Mood For Love; Moments Like This; Over the Rainbow; Precious Lord, Take my Hand; Every Day I Have the Blues; I Was a Little Too Lonely; Route 66; Don't You Drive me Away.

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