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Bebop Spoken There

Sullivan Fortner: ''I always judge it by the bass player: If the bass player is happy, it's going to be a good night". (DownBeat, February 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

17805 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 126 of them this year alone and, so far, 51 this month (Feb.16).

From This Moment On ...

February 2025

Sun 23: Musicians Unlimited @ Jackson’s Wharf, Hartlepool. 1:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Paul Skerritt @ Hibou Blanc, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free. Vocalist Skerritt working with backing tapes.
Sun 23: More Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Mark Williams Trio @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 3:00pm.
Sun 23: Ruth Lambert Trio @ The Juke Shed, Union Quay, North Shields. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 23: Jazz Jam Sandwich! @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 7:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.
Sun 23: Mississippi MacDonald @ Georgian Theatre, Stockton. 3:00pm. Blues.
Sun 23: Mu Quintet @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm. CANCELLED!
Sun 23: Jazz Jam @ Fabio’s, Saddler St., Durham. 8:00pm. Free. A Durham University Jazz Society promotion. All welcome.

Mon 24: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Mon 24: Michael Young Trio @ The Engine Room, Sunderland. 6:30pm. Free.

Tue 25: ?

Wed 26: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 26: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 26: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 27: Jamie McCredie @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Fri 28: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free. THIS WEEK ONLY JAMES BIRKETT (guitar)!
Fri 28: Luis Verde Quartet @ The Gala, Durham. 1:00pm. £8.00. SOLD OUT!
Fri 28: Spilt Milk @ St. James’ STACK, Newcastle. 7:00-9:00pm. Free. Nolan Brothers (vocal harmonies).
Fri 28: Castillo Nuevo Orquesta @ Pilgrim, Newcastle. 7:30pm (doors). £8.00.
Fri 28: Knats @ Lubber Fiend, Newcastle. 7:30pm. £11.50. (inc bf.). Album launch gig. Support act TBC.
Fri 28: Black is the Color of My Voice @ The Gala, Durham. 7:30pm. Apphia Campbell’s one-woman show inspired by the life of Nina Simone, performed by Florence Odumosu.
Fri 28: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival: Musicians Unlimited @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 8:00pm. £10.00. (Weekend ticket £20.00., available on the door). Day 1/3. Musicians Unlimited in concert.
Fri 28: Redwell @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

MARCH 2025

Sat 01: Great North Big Band Jazz Festival @ Park View Community Centre, Chester-le-Street. 11:00am. £15.00. Day 2/3.
Sat 01: TJ Johnson Band @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00.
Sat 01: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £25.00. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. Get your funk on! Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 01: Shunyata Improvisation Group @ The Watch House, Cullercoats. 2:00-3:30pm. Free.
Sat 01: Ray Stubbs R&B All Stars @ Billy Bootleggers. Ouseburn, Newcastle. 4:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Struggle Buggy @ The Peacock, Sunderland. 6:00pm. Blues band.
Sat 01: Edison Herbert Trio @ The Vault, Darlington 7:00pm. Free.
Sat 01: Rendezvous Jazz @ Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.
Sat 01: Jack & Jay’s Vintage Songbook @ Prohibition Bar, Newcastle. 8:00pm. A ‘Jar on the Bar’ gig.

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

Saturday, June 10, 2023

Bonnie Raitt @ Sage Gateshead - June 9

Bonnie Raitt (guitar, piano, vocals); Duke Levine (guitar, mandolin, backing vocals); Glenn Patscha (organ, keys, backing vocals); James 'Hutch' Hutchinson (bass guitar, double bass, backing vocals); Ricky Fataar (drums)

Hall One sold out some months ago. As soon as tickets went on sale they were quickly snapped up for a rare appearance by the Grammy award-winning Bonnie Raitt. The American superstar told the Sage Gateshead audience she was happy to be on the road again following the dark days of Covid lockdowns. It didn't greatly matter that during the course of the evening she announced on more than one occasion how happy she was to be here in 'Newcastle'. We can forgive visiting stars confusing Gateshead with Newcastle!

The American's ace band comprised long-serving bassist James 'Hutch' Hutchison (Earl King, Professor Longhair, the Neville Bros., and countless others), drummer Ricky Fataar (the Beach Boys, one of many on his glittering cv), Canadian Glenn Patscha (Ry Cooder and a host of jazz associates including Brian Blade, Donald Harrison and Lizz Wright) and, on this tour, replacing George Marinelli, guitarist Duke Levine (Mary Chapin Carpenter, J. Geils Band, Otis Rush).                            
Material from Raitt's album 2022 Just Like That...featured alongside numbers from way back. The passing years haven't diminished Raitt's vocal power, her famed slide guitar playing was on show, although perhaps not as much as some had hoped for, and, for one number, our Rock and Roll Hall of Famer sat at the keyboard. Made Up Mind from Just Like That...Used to Rule the World from 2012's Slipstream, Raitt raided her extensive back catalogue. Guitar techs frequently wandered on and off stage handing Raitt (and Levine) yet another, differently tuned guitar. Glenn Patscha alternated between organ (a Hammond?) and a bank of keyboards, Hutchinson and Fataar making do with a little less hardware. 

Blame it on Me, Bob Dylan's Million Miles, an excellent Livin' for the Ones from the new album, and several tributes to friends no longer with us, notably Raitt's heartfelt remembrance of John Prine, the one hour and forty minutes' performance flew by. A brief encore, a bow and Bonnie Raitt was gone.        
 
Bonnie Raitt's set list included: Made Up MindUsed to Rule the WorldBlame it on MeMillion MilesSomething to Talk AboutLivin' for the OnesAngel from Montgomery.

Earlier, Bonnie Raitt's special guest on the tour, Gareth Dunlop, received an enthusiastic reception in the rapidly-filling auditorium.

Gareth Dunlop (guitar, keyboards, vocals); Pete Wallace (guitar, vocals)

A singer-songwriter from Belfast, Dunlop was joined on stage by guitarist Pete Wallace. Dunlop spent a decade or so in Nashville, America as a composer (film and television) and performer. Our man confided supporting Bonnie Raitt was a surreal experience, the Irishman a fan since his teenage years. Raw, soulful vocals, Gareth Dunlop won himself many new fans here on Tyneside. Russell       

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