Great to hear that she has recovered. What a pro!
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The brilliant McCusker, McGoldrick and Doyle at Emsworth Baptist Church tonight.
Fantastic venue acoustics and musicianship from these three legends of the Celtic folk world.
Even got to say hello to @anon4489532
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It was good to meet you Don. They are such a good band, amazing musicians. It was a bit scary having to get up on stage and introduce the band - the first time I’ve done that - but the audience enjoyed it, the band enjoyed it and overall it was a great night.
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We went to a local club, South On Main, last night to see Jon Cleary plus his funk bass and drum duo, the Absolute Monster Gentlemen. It was a great show of Mardi Gras style music and everybody had a blast. I went to college in New Orleans and grew up with live performances of Roosevelt Sykes, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, Professor Longhair, James Booker, Art Neville and Dr. John. Of these greats, Mr Cleary is not my favorite, but in their absence, he and his band are a worthy substitute. Check out his website for a touring schedule and pick up one of his CD’s. You won’t be sorry.
Attended Elliot Galvin’s launch of his live in Paris album at King Place last night. This was a brilliant hour and a half of creative improvised piano. Great stuff.
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I did but unfortunately I am booked on another concert on the 4th! 
Alice Merton at the Technikum Munich. Went down a storm.
Booker T @ Ronnie Scott’s. It was fantastic to see a musical legend in the flesh, Green Onions was worth the ticket alone. Overall set was a bit mixed, but did a beautiful version of Purple Rain, just Booker and his son Teddy on guitar.
The support artist was Martin Harley, a name I’d heard of but not musically. Totally blown away by his slide guitar and vocal abilities, very roots, blues and folk. Will be searching out his tunes today…
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Just back from seeing Michael Kiwanuka in Southampton ( so much better than my normal stomping ground of Brixton Academy - no coked up d**kheads jabbering away through the concert). He is utterly brilliant and even better than when I saw him headline End of the Road festival last September. Superb backing band and he has that rare gift of a voice that is even better live than on record. There are a few spare tickets for other gigs I believe so grab one if you can
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18th Jan - another great E&TVP gig in Numidie, a downstars bar in Crystal Palce. It’s tiny but very atmospheric. They need to upgrade their PA though, the one they have is ancient!
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Charlie Hunter & Lucy Woodward at Jazz Cafe…3rd time of seeing them this past, great voice and Charlie is such a fantastic guitar player…
I’ve always wanted to see Anthony Braxton, and on 21st January I finally got my wish, on the last night of his Standards Quartet’s residency at Cafe OTO in Dalston. As you can see from the video below, it was certainly worth it! Great piano from Alexander Hawkins…
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Hannu Lintu/CSO + Pekka Kuusisto
PROGRAM
Sibelius Finlandia
Nielsen Violin Concerto
Nielsen Helios Overture
Sibelius Symphony No. 5
I was excited to hear Sibelius work live (particularly I have not heard the Finlandia live before ) But the star of the evening was Finnish violinist Pekka Kuusisto playing Nielsen’s Violin Concerto. I did not know anything about him but this young player made Nielsen’s work free spirited fun piece. Plus he drew gorgeous warm rich colours out of his fiddle so the tune still remained natural. I was familiar with Vengerov/Barenboim/CSO’s recording of this piece which I always had a tough time listening to it. Kuusto brought a fresh improv like perspective and that his friendly personality coming through.
Lanky Lintu’s (he reminded me of director John Huston) direction was more on a broader big brush strokes side which worked very well with Nielsen against fast moving violin solo and to a certain extent for Finlandia. Tho the finale could have been a bit more exciting.
The problem was the 5th. I felt that the overall tempi was too slow and build to the finale was too tedious and too similar lacking a bit of dynamic expressions and contrast. Aslo, he added in a various spot pauses which were meant to create an anticipation but instead they made me anxious. At the final 5 beats, the spaces between them were a half a second too long I was more worried someone would cough in between than anticipating its triumphant close.
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This one was a bit different, more of an anthropological experience for me with my son and regular concert going friend.
Jon Hopkins Dublin’s Docklands.
Musically the electronic bits were certainly emphatic and visceral, but I found the crowd reaction a bit in the “music for people who don’t like music” mode.
But then again I did often cheer maniacally at Dylan’s harmonica playing which I might think twice about now!
.sjb
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Ax, Kovakos, Ma Beethoven Trio
PROGRAM:
Beethoven Piano Trio in C Minor, Op. 1, No. 3
Beethoven Piano Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 70, No. 2
Beethoven Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 97 ( Archduke )
The Orchestra Hall was packed Monday night for this super star trio performing Beethoven. They even added extra seats on stage.
I loved Ma’s crisp bold playing which complimented softish Kovakos and Ax’s style. Can’t help thinking it would have been much better with Hilary Hahn on violin and Trifonov/Kissin on piano. :x
Amazing noone coughed during the entire concert!
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The evening of the last day in January was spent at Grow, a fabulous bar/restaurant/performance space by the canal in Hackney Wick, East London.
Great sound system, a lovely lively crowd and a fantastic performance from Ese and her Vooduu People (with bassist Matej standing in for the absent Basile).
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Last Thursday evening - Bryan Ferry at The Newcastle City Hall.
As always, a great time was had by all!
Richard
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