When I was a child my dad used to take me to Roker Park or St. James' Park on alternative Saturdays. Back then we had no tribal affiliations we just wanted to watch a game of football played by guys who weren't millionaires. To get to the front and see the game, us kids were hoisted shoulder high and passed overhead until we were at the front and able to watch the game.
That flashbacked into my mind last night at Gosforth Civic Theatre as, whilst I enjoyed the music, I wasn't so keen on the burly bodies sitting in front of me.
Now I aint' got no (I know double neg!) complaints against them, like myself they grabbed a seat and sat back.
The problem was that, for some reason, the band were set up at ground level and, even from row 7, I had no idea what colour tie Alan Barnes was wearing or if indeed he was naked from the neck down!
The paradoxical thing is that there is a stage that has supported big bands so, even given the portly figures of Barnes and Adams, the structure should still pass all health and safety regulations.
However, enough of that - the music was great.
Just as any drummer who covers Buddy Rich is tilting at windmills a similar Don Quixote situation applies in the case of Art Blakey.
Gaz Hughes is a fine drummer and, wisely, he didn't try to emulate Blakey but, instead, put his own feel on the great drummer's music. The three horns had it down to a tee with Masser particularly impressive. Fine piano, a bassist with a tone to die for and a great ensemble sound.
I will go into more detail when I review the CD.
Lance
(Colour photos courtesy of Ken Drew - link).
Alan Barnes (alto/baritone sax); Bruce Adams (trumpet); Dean Masser (tenor sax); Andrzej Baranek (piano); Ed Harrison (bass); Gareth Hughes (drums).
(Colour photos courtesy of Ken Drew - link).
Alan Barnes (alto/baritone sax); Bruce Adams (trumpet); Dean Masser (tenor sax); Andrzej Baranek (piano); Ed Harrison (bass); Gareth Hughes (drums).
3 comments :
The most bizarre 'tribute' gig I have been too. Inspector Blakey from On the Buses got as many name checks as the great drummer did from band leader Hughes. A grand total of zero mentions no explanations given as to the inspiration of the project or which albums the selected tunes came from. I was lucky enough to see The real Art Blakey band on several occasions and to this day they are most exciting and exhilarating gigs I have ever been from the first hit of the cymbal to the last. Maybe that was why the great man's name was never mentioned so that no one would make the comparison between the real Art and the fake.
Stop Moanin' Steve (H)!
Don't shoot the messenger
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