Seriously good tune for your evening
Suite for Ma Dukes: some seriously good jazz vibes to take you onwards into your evening...
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orchestra
How to speak of an improvisation experiment?
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.
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Impressions on Matthew Herbert Big Band
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.
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Notes from Cinematic Orchestra
I went to the concert of the Cinematic Orchestra last night. The Roundhouse was buzzing with tons of people inside and out, audible expectations running high. All ready for two sets: "Man with a movie camera" and "Ma Fleur".
First part is Man with a Movie Camera is a russian 1929 experimental movie, silent black&white job with tons of ideas and surprises packed in. The music of the Cinematic tickles the pictures, the play with movie techniques on the screen is mirrored in the soundpieces. I loved it even more live than on the album: the visual element makes the experience complete.
Second part of the show was tunes from the new album "Ma Fleur". I don't really know that album well and definitely want to check it out. "Petit bemol": a little annoyance from the musicians at some random loud whistling projected from the crowd mid-songs. Not sure if I was annoyed myself at the unecessary rudeness (it's not a rock concert guys!), or if I was just being jealous at some seriously impressive two-finger-in-the-mouth whistles :)
Heidi Vogel (vocals) came on in the second part, taxi issues apparently. Her presence was warm in contrast to the rest of the band: her voice mirroring the playing lights on the wood and pillars of the grand old building. My favourite of the night? All that you give: it is one of these great rolling song with a delicate sprinkle of pinched strings. Below is the official video of this tune with Fontella Bass on vocals, the sixties diva of Rescue Me fame.
Do you like it? What other music does this song makes you think of?
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