Turossing it (Moruya 2011/3)

Duck was unexpected and refreshing band: guys just having fun and music you just hang out to dance to. Josie led this funky, R&B outfit playing’60s tunes like the Stylistics and the classic political protest song, What’s going on. This was deadened thumbed bass, off-beat drum fills, beaming synth solos and an overdriven guitar solo at the end that gave me goosebumps. And Josie, cool and contagious out front. The only goosebumps I had all weekend. Duck comprised Josie Jensen (vocals), Callum Stewart (keys), Matt Dixon (guitar), Caleb Wearne (bass) and Sam McNair (drums).

I caught a family outing in two bands: father David Lole led a quartet performing mainstream featuring Melbourne saxist Roger Clark. His daughter is ANU student Rachel Lole who led a band playing delightful interpretations of the standards repertoire. David Lole (piano) led a quartet with Melbournites Roger Clark (tenor) and Alan Richards (drums) and student Caleb Wearne (bass). Rachel Lole (vocals) led a quartet with Clare Dawson (piano), Jared Plane (bass) and Henry Rasmussen (drums).

Nothing like playing

There’s nothing like playing. I missed what must have been an excellent gig the other night (Jonathon Zwartz was in town) but there’s nothing like playing. A few hours of your own gig makes the practice and commitment of time and energy worthwhile. Gossips played in another formation last night. This was instrumental, Real Book, Shorter-ly. Richard loves his Wayne Shorter but there’s not so much opportunity amongst the cabaret standards, but a night without a singer offered the real chance. We played more Joe Henderson than Shorter, but the simple modern forms with non-tonal harmonies were there. Also unusual (for us) was a house-style jam (slowish, bass on 1-2, snare on 3, one chord) that developed as a Bitches Brew-era jazz rock. And we even fitted in a few songs when an old mate, Caroline Faucher dropped in. Great night; nice, lively cocktail audience; too bad about missing Jonathon. Thanks to Callum who helped out, and Caroline who sat in for a few songs.

Percolations

Gossips were Mike-less again for a private gig in Ainslie last night, and we were lucky enough to get Callum Stewart to sit in on keys. Most memorable for me were several sublime swings and a few solos but also the oleaginous, percolating synth sounds emanating from Callum’s Nord during our Hancock Chameleon. Nicely modern and a change from piano. Also a few interesting tunes I’d suggested but we didn’t manage to do: Windows, Jelly Roll, Inner urge, Lament and Never will I marry. Perhaps next time. Commonly enough, we dropped back to the normal repertoire but played well so all was OK. Thanks to Callum. Nicely played and much enjoyed.

Rain, rain go away (but not forever)

Are tropical rains the idea of north? It was certainly wet and soggy at the Art School for this year’s ANU Summer Reception, but there was still a decent crowd for Idea of North performing a short set and the Liam Budge trio playing as support. I luxuriated in the lovely voices and the vibrant presence of the North. Changing front line singers with tasteful backing lines, grooving to steady vocal bass lines and occasional solos (this set had a vocal harmonica solo from tenor and a drum solo from bass). I wondered if the singers were SATB. They confirmed they are, but a jazz SATB is rather different from a classical choir of the same format. The bassist is the most different, taking on genuine double bass-type syncopations rather than low-pitch vocal harmonies, and sometime beatbox drums. And other players performing occasional “instrumental” solos, or at least the tenor did in this set. It seemed they all took time in the limelight, someone coming out front for each tune to feature as melody. There was a bit of friendly patter on stage, and constant movement for these front lines changes and a huddle between songs (I guess this was a pretty informal gig for them) and the grooving and moving that singers do when there’s a good beat going. And the beat was good. I really felt comfortable with the bass. Andrew is described as “bass / percussion” and he certainly carried the groove with aplomb. But then he’s been doing this for 17 years. They only sang one set, and I didn’t hear it all, but these were popular modern numbers done with great skill, great groove, wonderfully accurate voices and sharp arrangements. One tune was Aretha Franklin; another (with the harmonica solo) was Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t she lovely. Just fabulously classy vocals and great entertainment. Would love to have heard more.

I also caught Liam Budge fronting Caleb Wearne and Callum Stewart with nice vocal interpretations of the standards and a nod to his teacher, Vince Jones. But a university reception is mostly everything but the music. It’s chatting with friends, spotting the academic celebrities, battling for a bite, checking out the latest student art and enjoying free grog, so just few words on the music.

Idea of North are Sally Cameron (soprano), Naomi Crellin (alto), Nick Begbie (tenor) and Andrew Piper (bass, percussion). Liam Budge (vocals) sang with support of Caleb Wearne (bass) and Callum Stewart (piano).