Liam Byrne Quartet @ the Railway, Stockport - March 13

(© Jeff Pritchard)

Liam Byrne (tenor/sop sax); Andrzej Baranek (piano);  Andy Hulme (guitar); Gavin Barras (bass).

This was one of the rare occasions when all four musicians were able to fit onto the Railway’s small bandstand. This of course would not have been possible had a drummer been required but when Gavin Barras is on bass who needs a drummer! This quartet have played many gigs together and they quickly established a solid mainstream groove with the opening number Almost Like Being in Love from the 1947 show Brigadoon.

(© Jeff Pritchard)

One thing I liked about this gig was that Andrzej Baranek was using the house upright piano instead of bringing his own keyboard. There were many interesting solos from all of the participants and on Blue Monk we heard some great bowing from Gavin Barras - a frequent visitor to this venue.

Liam Byrne’s set-list tonight was mainly standards with the exception of Blue Monk and Cottontail. Liam’s  curved Conn soprano came into play on On the Sunny Side of the Street and Indiana. I like his sound on soprano and I hope he continues to use it. For those who have yet to hear Liam he is a very versatile reeds player with a style on tenor strongly influenced by Hawkins, Lucky Thompson, and Harry Allen.

Andy Hulme was in good form tonight and he is one of a select few who can impress me on guitar due to his facility and tasteful playing. He also plays in the bands run by guitarist Trefor Owen who was in the near capacity audience and who is due to play here  with his quartet on March 27.

The next jazz gig at the Railway is March 15 with  Ain’t Misbehavin’.

There is also on Sunday March 20 a Railway Jazz Special with Alan Barnes. Mike Farmer

 

Almost Like Being in Love; What is This Thing Called Love?; You’ve Changed; Get Out of Town; Blue Monk; Blue Lester; On the Sunny Side of the Street; Indiana; Body and Soul; Cottontail.