Folk Meets Jazz @ The Globe July 2

Ann Alex, Minnie Fraser, Barry Keatings, Jim McGeehan, Fiona Finden, (vocals)

Ron Pattinson (keys); Dave Parker (Bass); Stu Finden (guitar, bass); John and Colin (guitars, mandolin, vocals)
(Review by Ann Alex).

As readers can see from the list of performers, this was a very varied night and not everyone was playing their usual instruments, notably the Findens who had left the saxes asleep at home.  And it was well balanced between folk and jazz.  Take That had cancelled their Arena performance, obviously they couldn’t stand the competition, so two ladies who’d gone by mistake strayed in for a drink – the Globe attracts passing trade I’m pleased to say.  These ladies weren’t able to stay long, then another non-performing friend of the Globe appeared as audience – everyone else was a performer, well able to entertain.

Belated news on the passing of Joe McMullen.

Alan Rudd has sent me the sad news that trumpet player Joe McMullen (right facing Louis) passed away a few months back. Alan tells me that it was probably not widely advertised, as the family just wanted a private funeral.

Joe would be in his late 80's and was a prominent figure on the local jazz scene from the early 50's until his health declined in later years.

CD Review: The Weave - Knowledge Porridge.

(Review by Lance).

A gem! You've probably never heard anything quite like this! Unless, that is, you're familiar with Liverpool's Georgian Quarter - a revamped area of the city with lots of real alers and a few music venues, The Grapes and The Caledonia being a couple where The Weave are not unknown.

This is an almost compelling genre mix drawing on such disparate influences as Clark Terry, Bob Brookmeyer and Louis Armstrong as well as English pop notably the Canterbury scene of the '60s and '70s.

Now, having led a sheltered life, I was totally unaware that Canterbury had a scene. Googling brought Soft Machine to my attention and I began to get the feel of the music and it is captivating. Modern but with history woven into The Weave.

Vieux Carré Jazzmen w. Colin Aitchison @ The Millstone.

Colin Aitchison (tpt/vcl); Paul Gowland (ten); Lawrence McBriarty (tmb); Brian Bennett (bjo); Dave Percy (bs gtr); Fred Thompson (dms/vcl).

(Review by Lance).

The Millstone had been closed for refurbishment, Not being an out and out regular, I had to admit the refurbishments didn't exactly catch my eye although a lady, who did catch my eye, commented on the improvements in the Ladies Loo. I took her word for it.

There were a couple of TV screens that may or may not have been there last time and a Scottish guy seemed to be banging balls around to some effect.

RIP Eddy Louiss

French jazz organist Eddy Louiss passed away on Wednesday (June 30) aged 74. A distinctive player who recorded with many Americans including Kenny Clarke and Stan Getz. It was with Getz that I heard Louiss live at Ronnie's back in the early 1970s. His playing seemed to add an edge to the tenorist's sound moving him away from the cool image he was normally associated with. Louiss was also on one of  Getz's most famous albums - Dynasty.

Unlike most American jazz organists of the time, the Frenchman didn't use a bass player, preferring instead the instrument's pedalboard at which he was very adept. Britain's Mike Carr was another.

To me, this made him the complete organist.

A player who will be sadly missed not least by me for the memory of a wonderful night at Ronnie Scott's.

Obituary.

Lance

GP for GIJF 2016?

There's a tweet circulating saying that Gregory Porter is pencilled in for GIJF 2016 at Sage Gateshead.
Confirmation anyone?
Lance.
YES!

CD Review: Better Than TV - Late

David Burgoyne (pno); Ed Blake (dms); Gavin Spence (tpt/flug); Sergio Contrino (bs); Tom Green (tmb).

(Review by Lance).

I'll hold my hand up high and confess that I'd never heard of Better Than TV until this disc slid through the letterbox of my modest 3 up 2 down -. probably because I haven't been in Cambridge recently. On the strength of this, their debut CD, maybe Cambridge would be a good place to hang out. I like the band name even though it could be equally applied to the Maria Schneider Orchestra or those two Romanian guys who busk around Newcastle.

Moonlight Saving Time @ Jazz Café – June 30

Emily Wright (vocals); Nick Dover (tenor sax); Dale Hambridge (keyboards); Will Harris (bass); Mark Whitlam (drums)

(Review by Steve H)

It’s not often that an indoors gig can be affected by adverse weather conditions but the tropical temperatures in Newcastle on Tuesday night resulted in many absentees from this very fine concert.  However, the Bristol Based Quintet, led by Emily Wright, couldn’t have been more magnanimous towards the select audience celebrating those in attendance rather than bemoaning the stayaways.

Not the 9 o'clock News - Barking Mad Baker, Archie Shepp & the Devil’s Horn

(Preview by Russell)

Imagine…a jazz drummer, a jazz bassist and a blues guitarist get together, stay together for a short time, defining the blues-rock genre along the way. Cream sold albums by the diary load, called it a day and the drummer bought himself a polo team. Tuesday night’s Imagine…Beware of Mr Baker (BBC 1, 10:35pm) bravely ventures forth into the world of Ginger Baker. 

CD Review:Joel Harrison 5 - Spirit House

Joel Harrison (guitar & voice), Cuong Vu (trumpet), Paul Hanson (bassoon), Kermit Driscoll (bass), Brian Blade (drums & voice) + Everett Bradley (voice) & Adam Klipple (Hammond B-3)

(Review by Russell).

Michael Janisch’s Whirlwind Recordings label continues to release new material at a rate of knots. Joel Harrison’s Spirit House is a quintet assembly of the guitarist and four of his musical collaborators. The leader has written pieces with the musicians in mind, this isn’t a guitar-centric album. Trumpet and bassoon plus Harrison’s ‘saturated guitar voicings’ – a three-horn frontline – work with the bass and drums dream team of Kermit Driscoll and Brian Blade.