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

18395 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 259 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Mar. 30 ), 69

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

March

Tue 31: Bede Trio @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free. Albert Hills Wright (alto sax); Finn Carter (piano); Michael Dunlop (double bass).

April

Wed 01: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 01: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 01: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 02: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject: Musicians playing classical & orchestral music.
Thu 02: The Noel Dennis Band @ Prohibition Bar, Albert Road, Middlesbrough TS1 2RU. 7:00pm (doors). £10.84. Quartet plus special guest Zoë Gilby. Over 21s only.
Thu 02: Renegade Brass Band @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors).
Thu 02: Shalala @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. £7.00. adv..
Thu 02: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 03: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 03: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 03: King Bees @ Billy Bootleggers, Newcastle. 7:00pm (doors). Free. Chicago blues.

Friday, October 09, 2020

Album review: Rick Simpson - Everything All of the Time: Kid A Revisited

Rick Simpson (piano); Tori Freestone (tenor sax/ violin - 1 tk.); James Allsopp (baritone sax); Dave Whitford (bass); Will Glaser (drums).

New territory for me. Although I'm familiar with the name - Radiohead - being a "Jazzhead" their music has somehow passed me by so there is little I can say about the original versions of the material. Probably not such a bad thing as it has enabled me to listen with a clear head without any preconceptions.

Simpson arranged the material and, as one might expect, the result is one that befits the pianist's standing.

Freestone and Allsopp have some saxual encounters that add to the excitement, particularly on Idioteque where it reaches a frenzied finale.

In between all the "goings on" Simpson slots in some reflective piano emphasising just what  a major, if perhaps slightly unsung, player he is on the UK scene.

In many ways this is a gem for those listeners who look to the, not too distant musical future - always assuming that music has a future and, if it has, that there are venues to play it in!

In the meantime, I'd best check out Radiohead and see if they measure up.

Lance

Available on Whirlwind Recordings from October 23. Pre-order.

Everything in its Right Place; Kid A; The National Anthem; How To Disappear Completely; Treefingers; Optimistic; In Limbo; Idioteque; Morning Bell; Motion Picture Soundtrack.

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