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| © Richard Davies |
There was a buzz in the air at the Globe last night. There always is when David Gray and his Flextet are the featured band. Tables, chairs and audience were shuffled around to accommodate the goodly crowd who'd braved the weather to be entertained. Yes, jazz and entertainment don't have to be separate entities - they never are when 'Showtime' is calling the shots.
A Horace Silver influenced Gray original, Silver Orcas, got things underway. Sedate solos by the horns led to a finale that wasn't sedate. Mather's drum break brought the first of his trademark grins to the fore. It was the first of many. He enjoys his work.
Another original, Angular Moments was fast with Mather unleashing the kind of drum solo that most bands save for the grand finale but, this isn't 'most bands' it's the David Gray Flextet.
Restless Mind was followed by Cat Bells. A tune, David explained, that he composed whilst walking down a mountain in the Lake District. It begins in 3/4 time. I'd have thought walking down mountains in 3/4 time could be a bit risky, however, it soon switched to 4/4 and the mountain rescue team weren't called out.
Pete Tanton lent his Chet Baker chops to Jobim's Wave singing and playing like the tragic legend himself before the set closed with It's Possible. Tanton had some strange device attached to his Harmon mute that produced a unique tone whilst, overall the sound was almost ethereal via some electronic unit.
Interval time. Nobody left and it was good to catch up with friends and acquaintances past and present.
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| © Richard Davies |
So far, David's vocal chords had been kept in check but that was soon to change with Sénor Blues. Our man was in good voice following up with a 'bone blast that didn't hurt. He hung on to the mic for that wartime classic I'll be Seeing You which seemed appropriate for Remembrance Day. It was quite delightful. If he'd been born in Hoboken they'd have named a street after him!
Early November Valentine (did I get that right?!) then a classic by J.J. Johnson/Nat Adderley - Cyclops. Everyone gave 110% here. David leapt up and down playing trombone, Law was cracking walnuts and finding the lost chord, Mather out-smiled a dozen Cheshire cats whist Grainger and Tanton stayed within the bounds of sanity (just!).
The show came to close with Neon Lights. Pete vocalised in English, David did likewise in German as well as acknowledging any celebrities in the room (joke).
It had been quite a night! Lance
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