I saw this lot last night and they were pretty .......

[The Doc]

damn good

I wondered if it might be a good idea to have a thread for quick reviews of bands we have seen that don't really justify a thread of their own - for example where no one else is likely to have heard of them so are not going to have any opinion.

So I went to the Jazz at the Priestley on Friday - except that it was being held at the Beehive (Calm down sKotty) and saw this lot.

Not really jazz tbh, lots of eastern - Indian and Turkish - influences.  The best number was what I discovered at the end was an improv which came over like a Crimson 73 improv crossed with 'The Sheltering sky'  and they have a guitarist who sits down and does a lot of repetitive cross picking (I think) in funny time signatures.  There was someone filming so I might be able to find a youtube link in a while.  Anyway I'm really glad I was able to be persuaded to go out even though I was knackered.

[scorched earth]

I wondered if it might be a good idea to have a thread for quick reviews of bands we have seen that don't really justify a thread of their own

We do 

Not a Review
« on: 10/07/08, 04:57:23 AM »
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We could use a space for posting comments about performances we've seen where we don't feel like creating a separate thread for a review.

[The Doc]

oops 

[Geno]

Saw Colin Hay on Monday. A few days ago, whenever it was, I described him as "nice/pleasant/engaging" or something to that effect, and it also applies just as well to seeing him in person. It's not a religious experience, but the guy's got some great songs and a stage charm that's great at drawing a whole audience in (helped by the fact that at least 1/4 of the show is storytelling and pretty good stand-up comedy in addition to the music). Good stuff.. maybe not crucial to catch every time he's in town, but definitely worth the cash whenever you do. I doubt it would be in much danger of becoming overkill.

[owen]

Oh dear. You just couldn't help yourself. 

Did he tell the story about the guy at a show who kept yelling out "play the song about the goats"?

[Geno]

Goats.........? Um, no, nothing bout that. Now I'm suddenly disappointed.

[Geno]

Steve Morse Band, West Chester, PA 9.27.09

This lot was better than pretty good. I'd seen Steve before with the Dregs and Deep Purple, but this was the most intense show of his I've seen yet. Possibly it was because DP isn't a band I connect with on the same level and the shortened Dregs set was as an opening act for a less-than-appreciative crowd, possibly because this venue was a room small enough to give a close vibe the other places can't match, or possibly because he and the band keep getting better with age. Whatever the case, they burned the place up. Steve and Dave LaRue's performances could have served as an entire lesson book (if not course) on their respective instruments, and of course even that was secondary to the songs themselves. There may be no keys/violin as with the Dregs, but there's no shortage of variety - a little country, a little jazz, a little classical, a lot of rock-n-roll.

Or to put in simpler terms since I'm the only Morse fan around here anyway: these guys just plain kick ass.

[The Doc]

fantastic

Trio VD at the Seven Arts Centre Leeds

This was (as trailed elsewhere) the Leeds launch gig for their first CD "Fill it up with Ghosts"  The London launch is at the London Jazz Festival next week, but the band feel their Leeds identity is important to them, so wanted to start here.

The venue was packed (160 or so I would guess), Chris B had said he was a bit worried as he knew a lot of people were there who didn't normally listen to this sort of music, but he needn't have as they were all wildly (and justifiably) enthusiastic.

I had a seat right at the front left with a great view (working away)  of Christophe (bonkers Sax and mouth noises) Chris B (bonkers percussion and mouth noises) and Chris S (bonkers guitar, tiny synth and mouth noises).

I haven't been able to get the set list yet, but they didn't simply play through the album, I also suspect it was a lot less improvised than it sounded (if you see what I mean).  I found it very accessible and immediate, which is perhaps surprising given the nature of the music - I guess thats what years of listening to Crimson does for you - also I think seeing it live and getting the visual cues means you get a much better clue as to what's going to happen next, which makes it feel more familiar even on first listen. It was also great fun, and you could see that the guys were really enjoying themselves.  All the band are brilliant but Chris Bussey's Drumming is even brillianter than the rest, complex, showy (and not in a bad way - in a making an enjoyable show of it for you way) LOUD (when needed) funny in parts but always (to these humble ears at least) with absolute precision.

Couple of Crimsonish moments - at one point I thought they were going to segue into "Indiscipline" and a bit of Islands era sounding guitar in another number.

The Album is on Babel BDV2985, I don't know if it will be available outside the UK, so to be on the safe side a (signed) early Christmas present will be heading of to Oz tomorrow.  The show was recorded for Jazz on 3 but I don't yet know when it will be broadcast, well worth a listen when it is.

[The Doc]

According to an interview with the band on Jazz Line up on Radio 3 tonight the concert will be going out on December 16th.  Owen - will you be able to get that in Oz, or do you want me to try and record it here?

[owen]

Alun, you're a legend!

The album's been available from the Babel download store for a week or so now, and I've been mighty tempted but held off knowing I'd want the real disc anyway. And you're sending me a signed copy? Too much! I don't think I can thank you enough for that... but if there's *anything* you want from this side of the planet, or elsewhere, be sure to loet me know, ok?

The BBC 'listen again' function has changed and I can't grab them anymore, but the JazzOn3's usually turn up at the usual place eventually, especially when it's a band that's been generating this much interest (but if you could record it just in case?..).

Did you customise the set with an inappropriate cheer, as we discussed?  

I'm getting a signed Trio VD CD. Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.  

[The Doc]

safely in the post.

I'm pretty sure I will record the broadcast as I will want the souvenir (might even, given the notice, be able to set up a proper digital record)  - and yes there was a cry of 'Catfood' although it may have been drowned out by the raucous applause

[owen]

Extract of a TrioVD CD review...

---------------

http://thejazzbreakfast.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/disc-of-the-day-10-11-09/

The instructions that come with this debut CD is that it should be played loud. I haven’t quite plucked up the courage yet. Even at modest volume levels I find myself standing in the middle of the room, staring at the speakers and muttering things like “good heavens” and “bloody hell”.

There is quite a lot of music being produced in this country by young instrumentalists that feeds heavily on the traditions of both free jazz and heavy rock. It is often quite skilled and often leans towards an angry noise. I am able to admire it but I can’t say I like it.

But trio VD are something else entirely – or is it just that they are better than all the others? More focused? More original? More skilled? Probably all these things...

I hear trio VD are absolutely awesome live. My worry is that I might be irredeemably scarred by the experience. I still have to brave the volume control above 3 yet.

---------------

That sounds about right.

[owen]

Saw George Daugherty conduct the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at 'Bugs Bunny at The Symphony' last night at the SOH. One hell of a fun night. Excellent music, as would be expected from the SSO in their home venue, and Daugherty's enthusiasm was fantastically entertaining, at times he was more animated than the cartoons.

Hearing the Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies themes played by a live orchestra was such a rush, says this big kid.

[Geno]

Béla Fleck/Edgar Meyer/Zakir Hussain, Glenside 5.27.10

This lot was better than just pretty damn good, but I'd have a hard time reviewing something so indescribable. These guys continually blew us all away for two solid hours - no warming up, no time needed for things to gel, they just went off flying from the opening improv. It's not often I've seen a group get a standing ovation for the first piece alone. Anyway, I could ramble for a while, but it's easier to just link to these (courtesy of a fun acquaintance & all-around great guy who was all the way up in row two, the lucky bastard). I'd seriously suggest not missing them if they come within, say, 250 miles.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XfOsFFLkjg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XfOsFFLkjg</a>
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiurny2tzuo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiurny2tzuo</a>

If your interest is piqued and you have decent bandwidth, this should be worth the 14 minutes.

Side note: Béla's put together a volume 2 of Throw Down Your Heart with more African stuff there wasn't room for on the first CD. Looks like it's for sale at his site, but digitally only. Huh. I would have thought more seriously about grabbing a CD at the show if I'd known. Damn recession.