Live
Ronnie Scott's Jazz Orchestra - Big Band Beatles: Ronnie Scotts 11/04/10
A packed Ronnies saw Pete Long and his merry band of seasoned jazzers mixed with fresh new talent convene on stage ready to pay homage to the fab four. It was all things beatles tonight, a celebration of their 40th anniversary and you could sense the audience's rush of excitement in what the night ahead might bring. I too was wondering what lay ahead would the tendency to schmaltz things up be kept to a minimum and what numbers from the vast canon of repertoire would get precedence?
Kicking off with Norwegian wood was an interesting choice and wisely nothing like Herbie Hancock's striking version. It allowed the band to limber up nicely with a hearty solo from the youngest member of the band wunderkind young wippersnapper Mr Freddie Gavita who is something of a rising star having only recently graduated from the RA, this kid blew like a sandstorm and was consistently brilliant throughout the night.
Swells, lush voicings and key changes however didn't improve the rather perfunctory performance and the radio orchestra lounge feel carried on for a bit but things stepped up a gear dramatically when Crooner Ian Mckenzie livened up proceedings with his snappy take on Lady Madonna (which incidentally Ronnie Scott himself originally played on). The band sensed his cheery, chipper persona and acted accordingly. The groovetastic 60's vibe worked a treat with funky horns and a mean trombone solo blasted out over the 2 chord vamp proving to be very effective. Mackenzie, looking extremely dapper and up for it has a touch of the Mel Torme's velvet fog (and not the velvet frog as one leading newspaper called him!) and is a much underrated talent. He nailed it and so did the band and all credit to Pete Long's superb arrangement, bravo!
Just as things were on the up though the lounge vibe came back grrrr! 'And I Love Her' was a bit dreary and mournful fellas .... it's a love song you know! Still Mackenzie was on form even over this very slow bossa. 'Imagine' didn't fare too much better either, I don't think the arrangement did the song any favours but Tony Barnard's bluesy runs at least kept it palpably interesting. 'She Loves You' was barely recognisable and the band took it out and gave it a good kicking in a funky convoluted way, clever arrangement though but this gig was starting to be all over the place!!. Gavita's flugel horn intro thankfully stopped you in your tracks, talk about an old head on new shoulders, his arrangement of 'Yesterday' was a joy and it's poignant response really did touch you. A giant of a tune given the respect and sensitivity it deserves.
I have to point out that this big band were tackling tough complex arrangements, no easy task and they were holding up under the strain of such a tall order. Pete Long eerily like Ronnie Scott comedy wise, was the jovial captain steering the ship and making sure the band weren't going to go down! He led from the front and was a joy to watch conducting and cracking jokes. Georgina Bromilow brought something to the table a woman of immense talent and blessed with a lovely casual northern manner, friendliness personified. The audience warmed immediately to her and 'Can't Buy Me Love" showed off her ballsy credentials. Tackling an EWF arrangement with applomb saw the band really let rip. Georgina soared and Barnard wigged out on fuzz to a stonking groove, this lancashire lass had breathed new life into the band, proving to be one of many highlights.
The second half saw dapper Dan 'Father Mackenzie' tackling the dramatic 'Eleanor Rigby'. Had someone slipped something in their tea at halftime? Because this was a stupendous and boldly ambitious piece and by gad sir they pulled this mother off! This physchedelic experiment full of suspense and dream like madness was the highlight for me and looking relieved when it was all over, saw Mackenzie slip into more familiar territory with the syncopated groove of 'Day Tripper'. Mark Fletcher delivered some mighty fine breakbeats and pushed the pocket sweetly on this classic evergreen.
Bass player Laurence Cottle shone too, with his virtuoso fretting on the stripped down 'Long And Winding Road' (Macca wanted it stripped down too, especially when he heard Spector's lush production, he went ape!) Georgina made it her own with just the bass that's how good she is, this girl doesn't need anybody else. With the salutory 'Hey Jude' with it's feelgood refrain blasting out into the ether, saw the evening come to a magical end. The boys did the beatles proud. Time and place are integral to artistic integrity, the band showed up and the canon was in safe hands even if a few balls went off!! Hats off to you!!
[Editor] Ronnie Scotts still won't let us take pic's folks - so we are very sorry we can't bring you the usual pictures to acompany the the review.
Words Emrys Baird
