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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

1803759 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 480 of them this year alone and, so far, 58 this month (June 18).

From This Moment On ...

JUNE 2025

Sat 21: Jason Holcomb Jazz Ensemble @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 5:30-7:30pm. Free. A 'Sunderland Year of Music' event.
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.

Sun 22: Phoenix 4 @ Wallington, Northumberland. 12 noon-1:00pm & 2:00-3:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: Lapwing Trio @ Wallington, Northumberland. 1:00-2:00pm. Tel: 01670 773606. National Trust admission prices apply. ‘Tunes in the Blooms’.
Sun 22: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 22: Jason Isaacs Trio @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 4:00pm. £18.00. + £1.08 bf.
Sun 22: JazzMain @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 23: MSK Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm. £9.00. at the door; £8.20. (inc £0.20 bf) online, in advance.
Mon 23: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club (1:00pm). Free.

Tues 24: ???

Wed 25: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 25: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 25: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 25: The Magpies of Swing @ The Roxy, Leadgate, Co. Durham. 7:30pm. A Ginger Jitterbugs swing dance event, all welcome.

Thu 26: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £4.00. Subject: Brass Instruments & the use of mutes.

Fri 27: Lewis Watson Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm.
Fri 27: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 27: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 27: Strictly Smokin’ Big Band @ Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle. 8:00pm. ‘Time After Time’.

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

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

CD Review: Mette Juul - Change

Mette Juul (vocals, guitar); Ulf Wakenius, Gilad Hekselman, Per Mollehoj (guitars); Lars Danielsson (bass, cello, cymbals); Heine Hansen (piano, Rhodes, celeste, harmonica).
(Review by Ann Alex)

Mette Juul, a native Scandinavian songwriter, guitarist and jazz singer releases her fourth CD. And what a delightful listening experience it is! 

Five original songs and eight standards based on the theme of 'change'. The music was recorded in Juul's own home and also in New York and Sweden in an informal fashion, though anchored by Juul's voice and guitar. There are just 2 or 3 musicians on each track, giving the music an intimate 'feel' with genuine emotion. Ms Juul's voice is a pleasing expressive alto and every word is clear.

1/ Beautiful Love:  A sensuous, intimate interpretation with some pleasant wordless vocalisation.
2/ At Home (There is a Song): An original. 'This is a joyful place, come as you are', she sings and adds
 some gentle scat.
3/ Get Out Of Town: A difficult song to interpret (I've tried!) and Ms Juul does it with a touch of menace from bowed bass and cello, very exciting and atmospheric.

4/ It Might Be Time To Say Goodbye:  An original about ending a love affair but having last minute doubts, with a suitably contemplative piano accompaniment.
5/ Double Rainbow: A Jobim tune, a bossa featuring both acoustic and jazz guitars.
6/ Just Friends:  A sad love song, sung touchingly, with guitar soloing and a bass accompaniment.

7/ I'm Moving On: A song about spreading your wings, with a bright airy, starry feel provided by the celeste.
8/ Dindi: Another Jobim Latin number with light percussion which sounds like lapping water, and also guitar.
9/ Young Song: An original with a rather hymn-like tune and featuring a harmonica solo and interesting lyrics 'What is perfect love? Is it just a picture in a magazine?'

10/ Without a Song: I've always considered this a rather trite lyric unworthy of the tune but our singer manages to make it 'live'.
11/ Northern Woods: An original about finding peace among trees, and the guitar echoes the vocal line.
12/ The Peacocks (A Timeless Place): Lyrics by no less a person than Norma Winstone (music Jimmy Rowles). Love as an illusion, with voice and guitar, and also bass at the end.

13/ Evening Song:  An original which is very suitable as the last track. All about the close of day, contemplative.

This CD is highly recommended and it was released on September 6th by Universal Music.
See www.mette-juul.com
Ann Alex
at

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