The Abbie Finn Trio: Stotties for Three album launch @ The Soho Pizza Express - Jan. 15

Harry Keeble (tenor sax); Paul Grainger (double bass); Abbie Finn (drums)

Stotties for Three. Northerners get it, indeed consume them, stotties, that is. Southerners, on the other hand, that's another matter. The Abbie Finn Trio arrived on Dean Street in Soho determined to educate, inform and, most importantly, entertain. Would the current cold snap deter some 'southern softies' from venturing out? Would they stay home, opting to watch Coronation Street instead? Your northern correspondent is happy to report the Pizza Express attracted a sizeable crowd, there to to listen to Abbie Finn, Harry Keeble and Paul Grainger. 

Northern supporters turned out in force for Abbie Finn's album launch. Stotties for Three, Dean Street Pizza Express, London. How good is that?! Stotties for Three comprises eight tracks, all written by drummer and bandleader Finn. During the course of two sets the album would be performed in its entirety, interspersed with one or two back catalogue numbers, by Finn's long established trio featuring Harry Keeble, tenor sax, and Paul Grainger, double bass. Opening with Mardi Groove, Finn hit a groove right out of New Orleans. At its end, the applause suggested the audience liked what it was hearing. 

210 maintained the momentum (bassist Grainger soloing), Victor Feldman's Seven Steps to Heaven hit the spot, Keeble in turbo-charge mode, Finn soloing, the Dean Street regulars showing their approval. A lyrical Into the Dene took it down, Sheila's Song (for Finn's grandmother) found Finn on the hi-hat, things were going well. To close a fine first set Finn told the story about her determination, as a child, to be a pirate not a princess. And so we heard Pirates Not Princesses!

Sometime later the house lights lowered, it was time for the second set. Tenor saxophonist Keeble brought in Caravan, Grainger and Finn hopping aboard as Keeble stretched out, Finn soloing once more. The applause said it all. Nee Messin' required a word of explanation/translation, after all, we (we northerners) were down in 'the Smoke'. And, nee messin', Finn was straight on the ride cymbal (nee messin', like). Bassist Grainger soloed, drummer Finn, on the snare, taking it out. Great stuff! 

Don Grolnick's Nothing Personal (from the trio's debut album Northern Perspective) went down well with the Dean Street crowd, Keeble burning a la Brecker, the trio in and out of a swing time feel, Finn firing on all cylinders. A louche, bluesy feel to Where Are We Going for Lunch? changed it up, then Catching the Wind, and before we knew it Abbie Finn was introducing the final number of the night. Signing off with Night and Day (a good choice), the Abbie Finn Trio made many new friends here at the Dean Street, Soho Pizza Express. 

Set list: Mardi Groove; 210; Seven Steps to Heaven; Into the Dene; Sheila's Song; Pirates Not Princesses; Caravan; Nee Messin'; Nothing Personal; Where Are We Going for Lunch?; Catching the Wind; Night and Day.