Bebop Spoken There

Ludovic Beier (Django Festival Allstars): ''Manouche means 'free man,' and gypsies have been travelers since they migrated west from India to Europe.'' (DownBeat March, 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

18361 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 215 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 8 ), 25

From This Moment On ...

March

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free

Thu 12: Boomslang @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Fri 13: Paul Skerritt Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm . £9.00.
Fri 13: The SH#RP Collective @ Jesmond Library, Newcastle. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 13: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 13: Soothsayers + Rookie Numbers @ Cobalt Studios, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). £17.51., £14.33., £11.16.

Sat 14: The Too Bad Jims @ Claypath Deli, Durham. 7:00pm (6:30pm doors). £13.20., £11.00. R&B.
Sat 14: NUJO @ Venue, Newcastle University Students’ Union. Time TBC. £15.00. supporter; £10.00. standard; £5.00. student. Seated event.

Sun 15: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 2:30pm. Free.
Sun 15: The Too Bad Jims @ The Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. £12.00. R&B.
Sun 15: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 15: Rebecca Poole @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £14.00., £12.00., £7.00. Poole w. Dean Stockdale & Ken Marley. CANCELLED!

Mon 16: Milne Glendinning Band @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 16: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 16: Russ Morgan Quartet @ The Black Bull, Blaydon. 8:00pm. £10.00.

Tue 17: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Alan Law (piano); Paul Grainger (double bass); Scotty Adair (drums).

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

Sunday, March 29, 2020

CD Review: Al Gold – Al Gold’s Paradise

(Review by John Charles)

New Jersey- based bluesman, Al Gold has brought together an impressive ensemble of musicians all based or connected to New Jersey starting with long-term collaborators: drummer Jerry Cordasco, guitarist Tim Rice and bass player Terry Hemmer from his band The Suburban Rhythm Kings.

New Jersey blues is a new one on me although in truth the album leans heavily towards its Chicago cousin with a large dollop of Americana added for good measure.

Al Gold wrote all the songs citing inspiration from the likes of Otis Span, Big Bill Broonzy, Dave Bartholomew and Buddy Guy.

With a mixture of up-tempo dance tunes and stretched out melodic slow blues numbers this is a great showcase of Al’s striking vocals and guitar/slide guitar skills matched with fantastic contributions from the talented musicians he has assembled. Al is also a great storyteller with Tramps Take Linden based on an 1893 riotous night in Linden, New Jersey and Mr. Banker based on the more recent 2008 banking crash.

Particular favourites of mine include Ramblin’ Pony Blues heavily featuring Al’s slide guitar and Boogie in The Dark featuring Cassidy Rain’s haunting vocals as well as some great harp work from Johnny Sansome.

The Dave Bartholomew influenced Got a Mind really swings with Baron Raymonde’s tremendous sax work.  Jarod Gold on organ and Dave Stryker on guitar feature heavily on Paradise (Uptown) and a super strong ten track album is rounded off nicely with a honking instrumental Maplehood Limbo.

Highly recommended. Available CD Baby etc.
John C

That’s My Baby; Paradise (Downhome); Tramps Take Linden; Mr. Banker; Ramblin’ Pony Blues; Boogie in The Dark; Got A Mind; Won’t Sleep Tonight; Paradise (Uptown); Maplehood Limbo.

Al Gold (vocals, electric/slide guitar, mandolin); Jerry Cordasco (drums, percussion); Mitch Eisenberg (electric/acoustic/baritone guitar); Jared Gold (organ); Eric Heilner (piano/organ); Terry Hemmer, V.D. King (bass guitar); Cassidy Rain (vocals/acoustic guitar); Baron Raymonde (sax); Tom Rice (electric guitar); Johnny Sansone (harmonica); Dave Stryker (guitar); Anthony Tamburro (acoustic guitar).
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