Bebop Spoken There

Christian McBride: ''We knew back in the day that Emmet [Cohen] had it.'' (DownBeat July, 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

18767 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 631 of them this year alone and, so far this month (July 31) 95.

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

Mon 03: Friends of Jazz @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 03: Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn House Hotel. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).

Tue 04: Jam session @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 05: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 05: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 05: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 06: Vieux Carré Hot 4 @ The Millstone, Mill Rise, South Gosforth, Newcastle. 1:00pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00.
Thu 06: Wild Women of Wylam @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Thu 06: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Feat. guest Zoë Gilby.
Thu 06: Paul Skerritt @ Angels' Share, St George's Terrace, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 2SX. 8:00pm. Free. Booking advised (0191 200 1975). Skerritt w. backing tapes.
Thu 06: Bridget Metcalfe Sextet @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 07: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 07: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.

Sat 08: ???

Sun 09: 58 Jazz Collective @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00-3:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Tees Bay Swing Band @ Ropner Park, Stockton. 2:00-4:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 09: The Gambling Janes @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Sunday, January 17, 2021

Album review: Mike Scott - Collecting Things

Mike Scott (guitar); Joe Bagg (piano/organ); Darek "Oles" Oleszkiewicz (bass); Jake Reed (drums).

A reviewer for the L.A. Weekly said of the album "... the music won't hit you over the head with precocious braggadocio or mind-numbing complexity". 

A fair description. Precocious braggadocio and mind-numbing complexity is fine in small doses but too much of it can lead to the listener seeking out liquid solace (any excuse!). 

Mike Scott is a fine guitarist and composer and his compadres slot in well. In fact Bagg, whether on Steinway, Hammond or whatever it is he is coaxing those wonderful sounds out of, is outstanding. He too goes easy on the  precocious braggadocio and mind-numbing complexity and sounds all the better for it. In fact albums that contain the aforementioned ingredients should come with a health warning - Please consult your BSH practitioner before pressing the Play button.

Collecting Things is one of those albums that grow on you. It's like when you go into the shower. Your body gradually adjusts to the temperature and you emerge glowing - until you slip on the soap! Fortunately there's no soap here just soothing sounds and the glow continues to the final track of these original compositions by Scott (with one exception - On a Clear Day - which Scott included because he "liked the tune").

Check it out. One of the perks of BSH is the chance to pick up on names that are otherwise little known  this side of the Atlantic and north of the Thames (a river). 

A nice one.
Lance

3 comments :

NeilC said...

I wondered if Mike Scott was the Mike Scott of Waterboys fame who has reinvented himself but it could just be a coincidence .

Lance said...

You're right - it is just a coincidence!

NeilC said...

thanks for clarifying Lance much appreciated

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