Courtney Pine - Pigalle Club
- Posted on June 7, 2007 4:46 PM
- 1 comment
Courtney Pine at The Pigalle Club
6th June 2007
Review by Katie Spain
There’s something special about The Pigalle Club. Perhaps it’s the mix of good food, great cocktails and live music. Descending the green stairs into the depths of the central London club is somewhat surreal. The staff has a subtle, friendly demeanour reminiscent of supper clubs of the forties and in a matter of minutes patrons are oblivious to the bustle of modern London.
Earlier, we’d opted for a Wagamamas dinner but were soon gripped with food envy of the first degree. In hindsight, udon noodles and green tea wasn’t the best prelude to a night of British Jazz in a sultry setting – but at sixty-five quid, the three-course dinner ticket wasn’t an option. Luckily, all gigs at The Pigalle Club have the cheaper ‘standing’ option. My last Pigalle experience was an intimate front row table, three course dream. I’d been so close to Immodesty Blaize’s nipple tassels I could count every sequin. This time, we land a lucky position near the bar. We’re not close but the design allows everyone to see… no matter where they are positioned. We are able to make ourselves comfortable on a cushioned booth of dangerously comfortable proportions.
But tonight isn’t about wobbly bits and entrees; it’s about a fusion of hard bop, hip hop and drum 'n' bass. We’re here to see British Jazz legend and sax player, Courtney Pine in his second of two nights at the club. As we scour the cocktail list, the sounds of the support band wrap us up with warm modern jazz numbers. Pity the air-conditioning didn’t do the same. No-one else seemed to have a problem though... I must have drawn the cold straw.
Cocktails however, are one of the best ways to warm the cockles and the ‘Crumble’ tastes just like it sounds. Dessert through a straw is bliss. Around us, a mature jazz crowd clink glasses, toast the evening and await Pine’s arrival. The people around the bar look younger than the seated crowd – but with age and experience comes cash. Ladies sipping Martinis, young professionals downing beer and staff members chatter between orders.
The band start playing before Pine steps on stage… from the depths of The Pigalle the sound of a saxophone cuts through the air. The man has a stage presence that goes beyond visual… but when he comes into view you can’t help staring. Courtney Pine strikes a cutting figure in a sharp black suit and dreadlocks tied back with a black bandanna. His sax shines like a beacon, and the noise… I’ve never heard anything like it.
His opening tune fills the venue with elaborate finger work, notes spiralling out of control and curbed in right at the last minute. Drums, piano/keyboards, bass and electric violin produce a wall of sound around the front-man and when Courtney solos he soars. I have never seen fingers move so fast. One jazz-loving waiter stops what he’s doing. He’s enthralled… he ‘bops’ as he walks and his smile is infectious. This folks, is someone who enjoys his job. So too, it seems, does Mr Pine.
“Everything I’ve done before has been easy to guess at. Okay, he’s black, he’s into reggae, he’s into ska, he’s into hiphop. But this one; It seriously goes into some other areas.”
The same is true for tonight… Pine delves into the Jazz biscuit tin with wild abandon. It’s his first time in the venue and my first time seeing a live and eclectic mix of the jazz I grew up with (thanks Grandad) and the styles we see on the streets today. It’s no wonder the man has worked a musicians as diverse as Omar, Jazz Jamaica, Mick Jagger, Bryan Ferry, Kate Bush, Peter Frampton, Manu Dibango, Salif Keita and Elton John.
I’m overwhelmed… so much so that when the noise coming out of the sax resembles (as my friend put it) “The QE2 coming in to dock” I’m not sure whether it’s a sound fault or a strange new effect. It continues through the entire set and the audience look unperturbed. Maybe, as a younger member of the jazz world, I need to update my sound effect tolerance levels. To be honest, it grated on the eardrums, but when the music was good – it was solid.
2007 marks the re-release of his classic 'Modern Day Jazz Stories', winner of a Mercury Music Prize for Album of The Year. Tonight we’re treated to old favourites, a dash of material from his new album material and gems from his current 'Resistance' set. It’s hard to tell whether Pine plays whatever he wants (within jazz reason of course). My favourite live jazz moments always rise from the unexpected successful improvisation solos that rise out of nowhere; surprising both the band and the audience. Tonight doesn’t do it for me in quite the same way until Omar Puente rips forth with an electric violin solo to put the likes of Slash (Guns ‘n Roses) to shame. If only the girls in my college Orchestra had done that. Assemblies would have been so much more enjoyable. Puente hacks at his little instrument like a butcher to his livelihood. Jaw dropping stuff.
I’ll be honest, the music is a little hard to handle for my companions but the crowd seem entranced. We are in the midst of a master and for novices, maybe that’s too-big-a-step to take. One thing is for certain, Pine plays it as he feels it… even if that means a few hard hitting notes here and there. Whether it’s one instrument, two or both together (yes, at the same time) he blows it as he sees fit. The love of music is plastered all over his face and if some of us miss the point, then I guess that’s probably our loss.
“For me, not to open my heart and play everything that is in my head or reflects my experiences, is just wrong.”
With those words in mind, if Courtney Pine has lived through some pretty crazy experiences then last night, he did himself proud.
Have you seen Courtney Pine live? What did you think of the gig at the Pigalle club? Post your reviews and comments in our comment section.
Comments (1)
Ron
Great review, Katie, for one so young in the ways of contemporary free-form jazz. You were listening to the music. It's not easy to jump from the Revival to Courtney Pine in a Little One's hop, but persevere and you'll get there.
Posted on June 11, 2007 11:27 PM
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