London life, a dash of tango and a spoon full of sounds
On tango, concerts, music discoveries, shows and life in London. And maybe also about sailing, dancing tango, concerts, tall ships, football and rugby, jazz, adventures, the saxophone, social medias, art exhibitions, wooden floors, cooking and markets, clean and green tech, high tech and geekdom, city cycling, mountains, knots... I am just curious!
I went to a wonderful triple bill concert last night at the Barbican part of their Blaze summer series. First off the very talented Yaron Herman trio: a little too proud technically in my opinion, I thought they were at their best with their quieter tunes. Hiromi was second in the line up and boy did she not disappoint. She is very sweet yet cheeky, engaging, superbly gifted and eminently huggable. Catch her if you can!
I would love to give you my thoughts on the third act, however we ran out for some of the best tapas in town across the river in Brindisa.
I went to see the Broken Records at the ICA on Tuesday night and it was a great little gig. I got to know them through a common friend and the singer went to the same uni as me and all that: it's quite special having seen them through a few years now. I wish the band the best of luck this summer: with their new and first album released they have got Glastonbury, Green Man, Leeds and Reading festivals lined up. Check out their new single Until the Earth Begins to Part, listen to them some more, enjoy and share!
José James was presenting some of his new tunes at the Jazz Cafe last night. Man, this guy is talented.
Two little details I picked up.
When José starts scating, eyes closed, he always put his fingers on the pistons of an imaginary trumpet and plays along his improv.
For his last song, he stood still and silent for a few minutes. It was a little awkward. And the crowd was just as restless when he broke his silence than when he took his stand. But I tell you what: the power of that first verse was magnified and rang beyond the microphone.
Great to see Alice Russell in the Camden Jazz Cafe last night with songs from her new album Pot of Gold. I really love the energy and fun she brings on stage. She has a great way of engaging the audience, great banter: and you need it on a London Monday night. Her set was well balanced with enough old favourites from her previous albums in between the new tunes. Of all of them on the show last night I really loved Hurry on Now. The band, TM Juke and all, really got it together.
As a teaser, check out her collaboration with Mr Scruff from last year Music Takes Me Up
Just came back from a great concert in a tiny lovely venue in good old London town, Borderline. That was my random-choice-for-a-gig of the month and a rather lucky dip I tell you. But before I throw a few words about the "plat de resistance": the supporting band Leisure Society were excellent. Delicate tunes, surprising arrangements, crafted lyrics... My favourite perhaps was Pancake Day. Makes you warm and fuzzy inside, doesn't it?
The main guys tonight were Moriarty an unusually international band with guys from France, Canada and other countries I can't place. It was more than just music and a truly cool performance. Those cats know how to play their instruments, craft their tunes, surprise you in bends and corners you didn't quite see at first. Anyway, enough rambling, check them out and it wouldn't surprise me if you hear a lot more from them...
After getting warmed up by a great set from Karen P., the main course came to Cargo tonight with Tony Allen, the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and a swarm of special guests. The afrobeats of the legendary drummer weaved into some seriously cool grooves got the energy flowing. The raw booming brass got the crowd thumping for more. Who doesn't need this kind of music to put a smile back on London's January face?
14th of December, long awaited concert in London and a full house for Jamie Lidell at the Sheperds Bush Empire. And what an amazing crowd for people watching! All sizes and styles represented: well-to-do bespectacled boho, grey haired bubbly pillar of the boozer, all-woolen alt chicks, a lone-singing muscle man, tight-knit bouncy family...
Now to the music. If you do not know Jami Lidell you are quite simply missing out. Check out Another Day or maybe start with a Little Bit of Feel Good, before you diversify and Multiply into his more sampled-dubbed-worked out crazy stuff. Jamie on stage is like a loose electron looking for some positive energy. Infectious stuff: if you can stop yourself from shakin' and bouncin' I salute you. I had been warned that this could be a great performance. They were right and then some. He keeps on churning out his great tunes but you don't just get a re spit of whatever got you going on his album. Oh no.There is something brewing, something being crafted before your eyes and that is quite simply beautiful.
The Bays are all about improvisation. Unique 100% improvised sets. No products, no rehearsals. They just play, they are the performance.
The Heritage Orchestra are all about adaptation. They construct inventive covers of eclectic material, it's all honest and fresh.
They played together on the Southbank last Saturday in an unusual improvisation set up. The bays were on the line, excited and exciting. Two composers, for the strings and the brass sections, were writing the score as the concert unfolded, reacting, initiating the moves. The notes unravelling on the screen, mirrored and amplified with some great visuals cut as the show went along. And in the middle the musicians of the orchestra playing on the fly, interpreting and pulsating this truly organic live music.
I feel privileged but also a little weird to talk about it. It's a concert never to be repeated. Just a fleeting moment. Collection of surprise and energy. It's a secret difficult to let you in on.
Matthew Herbert is perhaps the epitomy of the eccentric english guy, his bulging head struggling to contain his eclectic taste and widescreen inventiveness.
Last night special performance of his big band outfit was unique in having the backing of volunteer fifty choir from Goldsmith, assembled as on their new album for this concert for the London Jazz Festival. 50 or more, they came with enthusiasm. There was just enough mishaps and unpolished energy to play it raw and real. Each piece started almost incongruously, the brass, the samples, booming voice, the crowd of hands and bobbing heads. This surprising story unfolds before you with strass and sounds. Huge waves of sounds crashing in with jokes and laughter. Standing joy for the audience. Pure bliss.
There's Me and There's You. I only have some video from the 2003 album. But don't listen to my rambles: get hold of the album, or better get out and see them live.
Mysterious title? Let me to tell you about the new Rambert Dance Company show from end to beginning.
The last part of the evening was called infinity and also some elements and phrases of the choreography were most impressive, the music simply did not do it for me. Despite the fact that the dancers seemed most familiar with that piece, it did not really resonate with me. With that out of the way...
Two solo pieces formed a Tribute to Norman Morrice (former artistic director of the company), and I really the freshness of both. Imagine for the second one a titillating music married with the soloist trapped in a box of light. As the bars progress, as the cello pushes on piano and violins, the box slowly dissipates into thin air and the dancer grab hold of the space around him sliding and jumping. Then calm and resolute comes back to the center for the cycle to start again. Awesome!
The opening piece of the show was a new commissioned collaboration between the composer Howard Goodall and the Rambert Dance Company. First of, the music was moving and delicious. An original requiem, both the singing and the orchestra were top notch. I loved it. The dancing made my skin tingle, always a good sign, especially the various duets. The only bemol to the whole thing being the appearance of a giant bird-like creature which I did not feel was necessary. Having said that the choreography throughout was inventive, with enough smiles and frowns to leave you stuffed with pleasure. I particularly loved the duet against the giant round mirror that went on to occupy the center of the background. And when the light was revealed... I have said too much already. Go and enjoy Eternal Light! :)
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