Bebop Spoken There

Jools Holland (on his 2026 spring/summer tour): ''With the mighty [R&B] Orchestra, our wonderful boogie woogie singers, and the brilliant Joe Webb opening the shows [including Darlington Hippodrome, June 19], we're in for some very special evenings of music.'' The Northern Echo February 5, 2026

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

18263 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 18 years ago. 117 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Feb. 6), 17

From This Moment On ...

February

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Theatre. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Play Jazz! workshop @ The Globe, Newcastle. 1:30pm. £27.50. Tutor: Steve Glendinning. St Thomas & Bésame Mucho. Enrol at: learning@jazz.coop.
Sat 07: Side Cafe Oᴙkestar @ Café Under the Spire, Gateshead. 6:30pm. Table reservations: 0191 477 3970.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Wed 11: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Jam Session @ The Tannery, Hexham. 7:00pm. Free.
Wed 11: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington.. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 11: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 12: Indigo Jazz Voices @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:45pm. £5.00.

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, July 08, 2023

Album review: Angie Wells - Truth be Told

Angie Wells (vocals) + (collective) Katisse Buckingham (flute); Clayton Cameron (drums); Carey Frank (B3); Larry Koonse (guitar); Ivan Malespin (trombone); Josh Nelson (piano); Kye Palmer (trumpet, flugel); Jacob Scensey (tenor sax); Trevor Ware, John Clayton (bass); Lynne Fiddmont, Valerie Geason, (backing vocals); Zion G (vocal duet on They Can't Take That Away From me).

Original interpretations of standards along with four of Wells' own compositions all inspired, in one way or another by the death, in 2020, of George Floyd.

The title track is perhaps the most poignant with its reference to the many deaths, not unlike Floyd's, that have besmirched America's worldwide image for so long. 

Wells has the kind of voice that stays with you, particularly when singing her own songs. The lyrics are probing, often relating to social injustice as well as having, in the case of Talkin' All Under my Clothes, a risqué sense of humour. Where the Livin' is Good is the story of a homeless person camping out on the edge of a rich neighbourhood and her futile efforts to be acknowledged.

The covers include songs by Bonnie Raitt, Nina Simone, Johnny Mercer as well as a clever mix of Moanin' and Work Song.

Given the support and the production by John Clayton it comes as no surprise that there are some cracking solos. Koonse, Palmer, Buckingham, Malespin, Frank, in fact just about everyone have their moments although, at the end of the day, it's Angie Wells who leaves the lasting impression. However, I must say that the a capella duet with Zion G on They Can't Take That Away From me didn't quite hit the spot. Still, 1:22 minutes out of 52:44 is hardly grounds for complaint. Lance

There's Always Time For Lovin'; Do I Move You?; Where the Livin' is Good; Truth be Told; Accentuate the Positive; I've Got a Feeling; Nick of Time; Here's to Life; Talkin' All Under my Clothes; You Don't Know What Love is; Moanin'/Work Song; I Wish I'd Met You; They Can't Take That Away From me.

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