Total Pageviews

Bebop Spoken There

John McLaughlin: '' A Love Supreme coincided with my search for meaning in life". (DownBeat, March 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

17873 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 194 of them this year alone and, so far, 41 this month (March 14).

From This Moment On ...

MARCH 2025.

Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 12:30-2:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Jason Isaacs @ Seaburn STACK, Seaburn. 3:30pm-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 22: Swamp Stomp String Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm.
Sat 22: Rivkala @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig. Country blues guitar & vocals.

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Barrels Ale House, Berwick. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: The Great Deceivers @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Tom Atkinson & co play King Crimson (1969-1974). Atkinson (guitar); Josh Bentham (alto sax); Stu Dawson (bass); Jeff Armstrong (drums).

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: Fred Wesley & the New JB’s @ The Cluny. 7:30pm (doors). £27.50. POSTPONED! New date Wednesday 26 November.

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Hannabiell & Midnight Blue @ King’s Hall, Newcastle University. 1:15pm. Free.
Thu 27: Michael Littlefield & Scott Taylor @ The Harbour View, Roker, Sunderland. 8:00pm. Free. Superb blues duo.

Fri 28: Giles Strong Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00 SOLD OUT!.
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Pete Tanton’s Chet Set @ Old Cinema Laundrette, Durham. 7:45pm.
Fri 28: Sue Ferris Quintet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. £10.00. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 28: Mostly Moonlight @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Fri 28: Juliana Day & Manon McCoy @ Cumberland Arms, Byker, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £12.00.; £10.00. advance. JNE.

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, October 02, 2019

CD Review: Troy Roberts - Days Like These

Troy Roberts (tenor sax); Joey DeFrancesco (organ x 3); Emmet Cohen (organ x 5); Jeff 'Tain' Watts (drums).
(Review by Lance).

The Aussie tenorman's 11th album, the 4th to grace these pages, and it's another belter! How could it not be with these guys? Roberts is undoubtedly suited to the organ trio set-up and B3 superman DeFrancesco spurs him on with that big fat sound he conjures from the beast and, on the tracks where Cohen is at the keyboards, Emmet does likewise.

On the up numbers such as Sly Old Dog Roberts goes for the jugular taking the tenor to the limit - soaring off the edge of the world - can a saxophone get rabies? Fortunately, just before the man in the white coat arrives, sly old dog that he is, Roberts takes it down to a mellow ending.

By contrast, Jack the Sipper is a cool bossa.

The last time I heard Little Man You've Had a Busy Day I think it was sung by Al Bowlly although it seems as though Clapton recorded it in 2016. It's a lovely tune displaying Robert's sensuous tone and he does it justice.

The Wizard of Ozroop, probably a reference to a town in the Outback, is another one that gives Roberts' fingers and embouchure a workout. The section where he and Watts go for broke had me applauding as if I was there! When Roberts steps down, Watts continues his onslaught behind Cohen before all three indulge in some fours.

The opener, My Girl is Just Enough Woman For Me, often featured in a Stanley Turrentine setlist and Roberts, DeFrancesco and Tain take it along at a nice easy pace. The tenorman making his virtuosity known early on.

Kern's Why Was I Born? is balladic perfection from both Roberts and Joey D with Watts, for once, suitably restrained (don't get me wrong, JTW is a man for all seasons) and I don't visualise the Kern estate taking action as they once did against Maynard Ferguson for his rendition of All the Things You Ain't!

Trams is smart - literally. The bassline like the title is played backwards! Troy is seemingly fond of compositional games. It swings.

The Waltz of Parting Days is suitably melancholic although if it is in waltz time it's not immediately apparent. It's still very listenable as is the whole album.

Of the 8 tracks Roberts composed 6. Not many tenor players around who can retain the lyricism of yesterday whilst heading for tomorrow - Troy Roberts is one such player.
Lance
More.

No comments :

Blog Archive