Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 2026)

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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

From This Moment On

August

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

CD Review:Zoe Francis - Blue Town

Zoe Francis (vocals); Ross Stanley (Hammond B3); Jim Mullen (guitar).
(Review by Lance).

Impeccably sung and played. An emerging talent combines with two British jazz legends for this collection of familiar and not quite so familiar standards. The result is flawless - perfection in fact.  Francis has a winsome voice that is well-suited to the bittersweet lyrics. Singing of lost love, heartbreak and other related emotions the listener shares her grief, feels the pain as her laid back voice gently weeps. 

And yet, at times, I wanted her to break out of her shell, maybe put on a happy face, face the future, the music - even when she does just that in All My Tomorrows you get the feeling that it's not going to work out. Ellington's Love You Madly is the exception. Here she sings with the, maybe over-optimistic, assurance that her chat up line is going to get results!

Helping to cure Zoe's blue mood Stanley and Mullen are the perfect antidote - much better than sulphur and molasses - the duo provide the shoulders to cry on with solid support and tasty solos. Listen to Mullen's sensitive accompaniment on Deep in a Dream.

I do love it madly but hope that next time around the mood is a bit more cheerful!

It's a one for the wee small hours
Lance 
A Flower is a Lovesome Thing; Early Autumn; The Meaning of the Blues; Daydream; A New Town is a Blue Town; Song For Elena/Medley from film Cinema Paradiso, Main Theme/Song For Elena; Who Will Buy?; All My Tomorrows; Love You Madly; Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most; You Won't Forget me; I've Gotta Right to Sing the Blues; Deep in a Dream.

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