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The Newcastle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music 2024 went out on a high. In fact if it had drawn to a conclusion any higher then we'd have been sitting on the roof!
This was the third appearance by Emma Johnson's Gravy Train at the Globe and, as at their previous gigs at the venue, they blew up a storm. The band, like all great bands, captures the mood of each of the compositions - all originals by Emma.
The opening Force of Light began in a drifting, meandering sort of way that gradually developed into a maelstrom of sound with Hanley reminding us - as if we needed reminding - just what a force he is before sanity returned and the force, like the soon to be setting sun, faded.
Home lived up to the title. A soft, mellow, fireside mood with tenor and guitar playing some delightful exchanges. Not the meaningless fours that so many bands use as a cop-out but a genuine moment of creation by two like minds.
Setting Sail was wild. If I'd set sail on this ship my 'sea legs' would have gone before we'd even left the harbour. Needless to say Steve Hanley was the one creating the gale force ten. He solos when he isn't soloing driving his fellow travellers to previously uncharted territory. And when he does solo ...
I didn't catch the title of the next number (from her first album Worry Not) but it offered rather more sedate moments with Jones soloing and Milne solid in support.
Embers, a slow, almost sanctified piece, didn't stray too far away and featured Emma's sumptuous sound.
The two final numbers, Pelican and No Other Flame, saw the excrement hit the fan as everyone dug in and may the devil take the hindmost.
Simply amazing! I left as I'd came in - on a high.
Catriana Bourne (harp): Francis Tulip (guitar); Andy Champion (bass); Joe Bainbridge (drums)
Having reviewed the Catriana Bourne Quartet's, soon to be released debut album Triquetra (HERE) I knew what to expect to the extent that I was on a high before they started.
However, there were questions that needed answering:
a) Would the unusual line-up be as effective live as it was on record?
b) Would the dep bass player fit in okay?
The answers were very much in the affirmative. Harp and guitar gelled perfectly in fact the sound was great and I guess the only thing preventing more bands to have harp/guitar front lines is the cost - harps aren't gifted from Heaven.
Re my second question I answered it by saying to myself "Oh ye of little faith". Andy was superb, as he always is, fitting in like one of the family.
When it comes to guitarists Francis Tulip gets better and better with each hearing. How much further can he go? Watch this space.
The five numbers all came from Triquetra: Triquetra; Coronach; Sligachan Bridge; Rowan; Lannigan.
Heather Ferrier (accordion)
In between the two bands there was a solo set by accordionist Heather Ferrier. It was an interesting session as you don't get many accordions at jazz gigs these days.
Whether Ferrier can be classified as a pure jazz musician is debatable and I doubt if she would want to be. However, as this particular festival is a broad church I think her inclusion can be justified by her amazing technique on both keys and buttons - quite awesome. Lance
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