It could have been Birdland in New York or the Down Beat in Newcastle but it wasn't although it was in Newcastle - Hoochie Coochie, where else? The Jazz Defenders were in town bringing with them the spirit of those Blue Note years when the Jazz Messengers were putting bums on seats at the former and the EmCee Five doing the same at the latter. Driving hard bop with the punch and power of funkin' soul added to the mix which, I think, was how Hoochie's head honcho described it although I could have misheard him!
The Defenders don't take no prisoners, don't carry no passengers and don't play, as Warren would say, no funkin' ballads. The last band I heard who kicked ass like this was the Tommy Chase Quartet and that was nigh on 40 years ago! But even they were like a Palm Court ensemble by comparision.
One thing I like about Hoochie is that people dance and have fun. They certainly did all that.
I know we are only just into April so it's probably a bit premature to start talking about it being the gig of the year but, come New Year's Eve it must surely be in the frame and, if it's not, join the queue outside Fenwick's window - private joke, don't ask! Lance
3 comments :
Fantastic gig! Lance, I think you heard Hooochie Coochie's Main Man hollering something similar to 'funkin' brilliant'! Come the end of the year, if the gig isn't in the frame it'll be a real bummer (private joke!).
Wow thanks for such lovely words Lance! It was a real pleasure and privilege to play for you all at Hoochie, we thoroughly enjoyed it 💥
Amazing gig! Completely blew me away. I was expecting it to be good but this was on another level!
Bought the new album from the band after, it’s truly outstanding.
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