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Bebop Spoken There

Steve Coleman: ''If you don't keep learning, your mind slows down. Use it or lose it''. (DownBeat, January 2025).

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

17719 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 39 of them this year alone and, so far, 39 this month (Jan. 15).

From This Moment On ...

January 2025

Fri 17: Lindsay Hannon: Tom Waits for No Man @ The Lit & Phil, Newcastle. 1:00pm. SOLD OUT!
Fri 17: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 17: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 17: Joe Steels Trio w. Graham Hardy @ The Pele, Corbridge. 7:00pm. £10.00. (inc. a welcome drink & table reservation). Book at: www.drinks@thepele.co.uk. A ‘Jazz at the Pele’ promotion.
Fri 17: Russ Morgan Quartet @ Traveller’s Rest, Darlington. 8:00pm. Opus 4 Jazz Club.
Fri 17: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sat 18: Abbie Finn Trio @ The Vault, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 18: Alter Ego + Jamie Toms/Graham Don Duo @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 7:30pm. £15.00. at the door; £14.35. (inc £0.35 bf) online, in advance.
Sat 18: Tweed River Jazz Band @ Repas 7 by Night, West St., Berwick TD15 1AS. 7:30pm. Free. Album launch gig.
Sat 18: Delta Prophets @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

Sun 19: Glenn Miller Orchestra UK @ Glasshouse, Gateshead. 3:00pm. ‘Glenn Miller & the Rat Pack Era’.
Sun 19: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 19: Spilt Milk @ St James’ STACK, Newcastle. 5:15-7:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Sun 19: Tenement Jazz Band @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 19: Nick Ross Orchestra @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.
Sun 19: Freight Train (Tobin/Noble/Clarvis) @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 20: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 21: ???

Wed 22: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 22: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.
Wed 22: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 22: Pasadena Roof Orchestra @ Fire Station, Sunderland. 7:30pm.

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

Friday, May 26, 2023

Album review: Zoe Francis - Somewhere in the Night

Zoe Francis (vocal); Ross Stanley (B3); Jim Mullen (guitar)

If I were asked to rate the top UK jazz singers it would probably be a list stretching from Land's End to John O'Groats - there are just so many of them. Back in the day there was Cleo, Norma, Val and a few comers like Claire, Clare and Carol before the scene erupted and there were (girl) singers seemingly growing on trees everywhere.

Paul Pace's legendary sessions at the Spice of Life saw a host of singers (90% female) strutting their stuff. It was like a conveyor belt as they sang Cry me a River, My Funny Valentine or Summertime. Occasionally there were moments when singers such as Sarah Ellen Hughes stood out from the crowd and whose flame flickered briefly before returning to the security of the day job.

Zoe Francis' template for this excellent album was to pay homage to the great Blue Note organ and guitar trios such as Larry Young and Grant Green. With assists from Ross Stanley and Jim Mullen she has been successful giving a selection of well-loved songs, and I quote, 'A fresh update without losing their timeless artistry'.

The title track, composed by Billy May and Milt Raskin in 1960, was used as one of the themes for the TV series The Naked City. Green and Young recorded a version on Green's Blue Note album Street of Dreams and Francis added new lyrics to Young's introduction.

There's a certain louche presence in the relaxed, laid back, vocals that make them all the more appealing. Ballads such as Who Can I Turn to?, Maybe September and Too Late Now send icy fingers up and down my spine with each listening such is the magical quality of her voice.

However, to single out any one track is unfair to the rest, all are impeccably sung and played by Francis, Stanley and Mullen - drums would be surplus to requirement.

Peter Bernstein echoed my thoughts when he wrote in the blurb, "This is a great record that stands out in its beauty and courage".

Amen! Lance.

Release date June 16 on Diving Duck Recordings DDRCD030 from usual suspects.

Somewhere in the Night; Who Can I Turn to?; Too Late Now; When the Sun Comes Out; Show me; Be my Love; Maybe September; Autumn Serenade; Skylark; Midnight Sun; Sweet and Lovely.

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