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| (© Ken Drew) |
Let Spin: Moss Freed (guitar); Chris Williams (alto sax); John Pope (electric Bass); Finlay Panter (drums)
To mark their 10-year anniversary, Let Spin are touring their latest release Thick As Thieves and hit the deck running to the delight of Newcastle’s expectant audience
A band with extensive experience - guitarist Moss Freed (Union Division, Spike Orchestra), saxophonist Chris Williams (Led Bib, Sarathy Korwar), bassist Ruth Goller (Skylla, Melt Yourself Down) and drummer Finlay Panter (Beats & Pieces Big Band) - Let Spin are a cutting edge quartet who have made waves in the UK and European jazz scenes since 2012. One significant change for tonight and other parts of their tour, was the bassist depping for Ruth Goller (elsewhere engaged) was none other than our own John Pope (John Pope Quintet, Archipelago).
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| (© Ken Drew) |
Admittedly they spent a couple of hours rehearsing earlier in the day, but even so their collaborative way of working fuelled by a mixture of stylistic influences coupled with a keen sense of improvisation leads to engrossing live performances. And tonight was no exception. They segued all tunes throughout the single set, sounding both tight (as a band) and free (as musicians) with individual ‘solos’ and complete ensemble a delight to watch and listen to. With just two previous performances in Newcastle, this was long overdue. Here’s hoping for a quicker re-visit, the Newcastle audience loved it !
Ceitidh Mac
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| (© Ken Drew) |
Ceitidh Mac opened the evening doing what she always does – immediately capturing and beguiling the audience with her combination of cello, vocals and self-penned songs, and her own take on traditional ones. Some say it puts a progressive twist on the alt.folk genre, but for me it’s simply a great mix of cello (bowed, plucked or tapped) and voice alongside her own take on various experiences and observations of life. A lovely set, followed by rapturous applause.
Note: a good-sized audience was there, despite the distraction of some football (3-0 apparently), Liane Carroll at The Globe, and heavy rain in the darkness outside. Ken Drew
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