Drummer Abbie Finn's recently released Northern Perspective album formed the centre piece of this evening's concert at St James' and St Basil's Church. Arriving in the Newcastle suburb of Fenham shortly before the seven thirty start it struck your correspondent that the nights are drawing in...it'll soon be Christmas 'n' all that.
The usual faces, and a few new ones, took their seats, no pews. Considering the venue, a bottle of Bishop's Finger seemed an appropriate choice. Paul Grainger's Umlazi Morning from Northern Perspective opened the show. Not so much a battle with, rather an acceptance of, the acoustics, the AF3 presented a set of album cuts and some perennial favourites. Band leader Abbie handled the announcements and the boys - Harry Keeble, tenor sax, Paul Grainger, bass - played their part in an entertaining evening. Tangerine, Recorda Me, Joe Henderson's Inner Urge (Abbie soloing), Beatrice, Harry's well-received Ginnungagap (inspired by Norse mythology and all that), a typically good Abbie Finn Trio performance.
Tadd Dameron's Lady Bird always goes down well, as did another bottle of Bishop's Finger. The undemonstrative, if not understated, tenor playing of Harry Keeble caught the listeners' ear, a particular highlight being Harry's Garbarek-like introduction to Goodbye Pork Pie Hat. A good set, job done. Abbie has several gigs in the diary including a swift return to J's and B's with the Dean Stockdale Trio a week on Sunday (August 29) to play a gig in the spacious gardens, three o'clock start. Russell
1 comment :
There's a mingus big band version of pork pie with a Seamus Blake intro. Check it out :)
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