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Bebop Spoken There

Trevor Mires: ''My mum is a Dean Martin fan: I'm not, so I would grab my skateboard and get out of the house whenever I heard "Everybody Loves Somebody, Sometime." ". (Jazzwise, April 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

17957 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 278 of them this year alone and, so far, 34 this month (April 14).

From This Moment On ...

April 2025.

Fri 18: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 18: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 1:00-2:45pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Fri 18: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Seaburn. 3:30-5:30pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.

Fri 18: Alexia Gardner @ Fika Gallery, Oldgate, Morpeth NE61 1LT. 7:00pm. Trio (Gardner, Alan Law, Jude Murphy).RESCHEDULED FOR JUNE 13

Fri 18: Sarah Jane Morris & Tony Remy: The Sisterhood @ Cluny 2, Newcastle. CANCELLED! 7:30pm (doors). £25.00.

Sat 19: Jason Isaacs @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 1:00-3:00pm. Free. Vocalist Isaacs working with backing tapes.
Sat 19: Joseph Carville Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 19: Merlin Roxby @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 20: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 20: Salty Dog @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. Free. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 20: Spilt Milk @ STACK, Exchange Sq., Middlesbrough. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 20: Tweed River Jazz Band @ The Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed. 7:00pm. Free.
Sun 20: C.A.L.I.E @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 21: Newcastle Record Fair @ Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle. 10:00am. Going in search of the Buddy Bolden cylinder…
Mon 21: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 22: Abbie Finn Trio @ Newcastle House Hotel, Rothbury. 7:30pm. Coquetdale Jazz.

Wed 23: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 23: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 23: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. CANCELLED!

Thu 24: Mary Coughlan @ The Glasshouse, Gateshead. 8:00pm. £33.80. Blues, jazz etc.
Thu 24: Darlington Big Band @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

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

Friday, May 22, 2020

CD Review: Jo Harrop & Jamie McCredie - Weathering the Storm. Released today!

Jo Harrop (vocal); Jamie McCredie (guitar).

I know we're not yet halfway through this year but if, come December 31, there is a better vocal album released then it will be because Ella and Joe Pass have been reincarnated and, even then, it will be a close thing.

Yes, this is the real deal. Inspired by Ella and Joe as well as by the duo albums Tony Bennett did with Bill Evans, Jo and Jamie treat their inspiration with respect whilst, at the same time retaining their own individuality.

That they both have roots in the northeast has in no way coloured my judgement - this is pure class irrespective of anything other than near definitive contemporary versions of some classic songs.  Jo Harrop brings the feeling to a ballad that perhaps only Peggy Lee has matched. Billie and Ella also did it but in a totally different way.

In Jamie McCredie, Jo has found a musical soulmate, his sympathetic backing the perfect foil and his tasty soloing just so so right for the setting.

My Foolish Heart: By coincidence, just recently I was watching the film of the same name on Sony Movies. The great Susan Hayward, the star. There's a night club scene where an unnamed singer sings the title song - if the film is ever remade then Jo's the girl to provide the voice!

That's just the first track and what follows is equally compelling. I'd never visualised Jo singing a Tom Waits song but here, it's as if he'd penned the song exclusively for her,

The title of the album too is very appropriate in these troubled times. If we are going to weather the storm then this album will help us through.
Lance

Here's a YouTube clip.
Released May 22 (today!) on Lateralize Records.

I Fall in Love Too Easily; Tenderly; Take it With me (Tom Waits); Guilty; More Than You Know; You Must Believe in Spring: Charade; Early Autumn; In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning; If.
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1 comment :

Unknown said...

Lance, thank you for your wonderful words in support of the album. I'm thrilled you like it.
And thanks too for all the work you do supporting the scene for us all.
You're appreciated by many.

J

Thursday, May 07, 2020 7:56:00 pm

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