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.

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Holystone - May 20

(Photo by Russell)
Jim McBriarty (alto sax, soprano sax, clarinet, vocals); Lawrence McBriarty (trombone, vocals); Brian Bennett (banjo); Paul Grainger (double bass); Fred Thompson (drums) + John Broddle (vocals)

The Vieux Carré Jazzmen were first out of the traps with a socially-distanced indoor gig. The band's loyal followers - jabbed or not - turned out in good number. What's the odds of the first four numbers featuring four different vocalists? On this VCJ gig that's what we got. First up, guest John Broddle singing Honeysuckle Rose

(Photo by Russell)
A bottom-of-the-barrel pint of London Pride, a plate of potato wedges, a bit crack, a typical Holystone Thursday lunchtime session. Drummer Fred Thompson sang Alice Blue Gown and, not to be outdone, veteran 'bone man Lawrence McBriarty got in on the vocal act with a measured tenor-voice rendition of Dallas Blues

Brother Jim McBriarty (sounds like a Hammond B3 maestro...perhaps he is!) replied with Oh, Lady be Good! From here on in our crooners would be McBriarty J and Thompson, save for a second set spot for Mr Broddle.  

Second set, more of the same, including an 'if I ever hear that tune again'Petite Fleur, expertly played by Jim McBriarty. Bechet lives! Up jumped Mr Broddle to sing a well-received Should I? followed by Sweet Lorraine, 'backing vocals' courtesy of McBriarty L. 

Brother L gave it 'six-nowt' (translation from the Geordie available upon request) on a spirited Muskrat Ramble, brother J, wailing away on clarinet, hirsute bassist Paul Grainger playing as if in an energetic revivalist outfit. Brother J sang It's Only a Paper Moon. Great lyrics, Harold Arlen knew what he was doing...It's a Barnum and Bailey world etc. After all, It's only make believe. Last one...Ice Cream, shared vocals, Messrs J McBriarty and F Thompson. Back next week (Thursday 27), one o'clock. 

Some tunes, however good, fall into the category of, Please, never again!, they've been done to death and/or crucified! 
Russell

Set list: Honeysuckle RoseAlice Blue GownDallas BluesOh, Lady be Good!Big Butter and Egg ManYou're the One I Care ForAll of MeEverybody Loves My Baby;  Petite Fleur;  Should I? (reveal exactly how I feel)Sweet LorraineMuskrat RambleIt's Only Paper MoonIce Cream

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