Bebop Spoken There

Ron Carter quoting Sonny Rollins: ''What we call jazz - that's keeping the world in equilibrium. I don't care what kind of music you like out here today. It all comes from jazz.'' (DownBeat August, 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

18799 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 663 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Aug. 12) 32.

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

From This Moment On

August

Thu 13: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 13: Eva Fox & the Sound Hounds @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 13: 58 Jazz Collective @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Stranton, Hartlepool. 8:00pm. Free. CANCELLED! Back on Aug. 27.
Thu 13: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.

Fri 14: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 14: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 14: John Settle Quartet @ Bishop Auckland Methodist Church. 1:00pm. £9.00. John Settle (vibes); Rick Laughlin (piano); Mick Shoulder (double bass); Tim Johnston (drums).
Fri 14: Bold Big Band @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £8.00 + bf.

Sat 15: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 15: Jake Leg Jug Band @ The White Room, Stanley. 7:45pm. £16.26.

Sun 16: Vintage Explosion @ Cliffe Park, Roker, Sunderland SR6 8DB. 5:00-10:30pm. £44.00 (inc. bf).

Mon 17: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 18: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. House trio: Joe Steels, Paul Grainger, Abbie Finn.

Wed 19: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 19: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Sunday, September 06, 2020

Livestream from The Globe: Not Now Norman – September 5

Taylor Mitchell (vocals); Zander Brown (guitar); Jimmy Manningham (bass guitar); Bodhi Turnbull (drums)

This isn't a 'proper' full review as the music was most certainly not jazz. No, I'm writing this because I consider that The Globe is to be congratulated for putting on such a wide range of music. I thoroughly enjoyed this offering, which I'd decided to watch out of curiosity and also out of an urge to try all sorts of music.

 The outfit hails from Berwick-on-Tweed and they play heavy rock, with driving guitars and lively, spirited, stylish and sometimes aggressive songs. The lyrics are valid and down to earth, such as 'You ask too many questions, shut your mouth' (about an abusive relationship); another song said 'You stole something from my heart'; then 'Save me from a time when everything around has died' (about environmental problems) 'Take me to the land of the midnight sun ' featured camera work showing the musicians fading and reappearing in different parts of the stage.

Ms Mitchell was entrancing to watch, Doc Marten boots, fishnet tights, black shorts and long black hair flicking around, moving around a lot and singing well. I didn't recognise any songs except for Sweet Child of Mine towards the end, so don't know if they were originals or what. The instrumentalists were well on the money as we say in jazz circles. The lyrics were apparently straightforward and effectively repetitious. The band deserved a bigger audience than the numbers shown on YouTube, don't know how many were watching on Facebook.

Definitely a great chance to listen to music that you wouldn't usually bother with.
Ann Alex

2 comments :

Lance said...

Don't forget that The Globe returns to its jazz roots tonight when the Alan Law Trio with Jordan Alfonso on alto celebrate the music and the centennial of Charlie Parker at 8:00pm on Facebook and YouTube. Donate a fiver (or more) for what promises to be a great live stream.
Note, streamed only so don't turn up at the door!
Full details on Globe website/Facebook.

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for this review, we're so pleased you enjoyed the show - Not Now Norman

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