Barry Travena's review of "Pop Bop" -Seven Arts, 10 March 2011 

 

The gig essentially showcased Geoff Gascoyne’s sixth album as a leader whilst being  the fourth in Seven’s current magnificent evening series.

The band kicked off with Rufus Wainwright’s “Going To a Town” and a beautiful alto sax solo from Dave O’Higgins.  He has a gorgeous tone and way of playing that is so sweet  - he was deputising, but to be honest it made the gig a little bit special. Guitarist Jim Mullen picked up the next solo, playing like Bert Weedon on speed and then Brian Gascoigne on bass. Soloing was a recurrent theme throughout the set and although the order did change, the musicians each had plenty of space to express themselves whilst staying within the framework of the songs.  

Next was the Peter Gabriel / Kate Bush song “Don’t Give Up” or as Jim Mullen would have it “Don’t Give Up (The Day Job)” - the band’s musicianship only enhanced an already beautiful song with an outstanding solo from Dave O’Higgins.

Diana Ross’ “The Happening” was next …. and then the Ryuichi Sakamoto theme from the film “Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence” entitled “Forbidden Colours” …. which saw Brian Gascoigne pick up his electric bass.

First set closer was The Stylistics’ “People Make The World Go Round” with a great bass intro and a some heavy drums from Matt Holmes to close.

Second set opened with “Keep It To Yourself” which is based on Horace Silver’s “The Preacher” and then Ben Folds’ “Fred Jones Part 2”. I’m not familiar with Ben Folds, but I know the soprano sax from Dave O’Higgins was spot on.

Take That’s comeback hit “Shine” was given the Pop Bop treatment and then a return to electric bass for John Mayer’s “Stop This Train” – another artist I’ve not heard, the track comes from the album “Continuum”. More sweet soprano sax showcased a very nice tune and John Mayer might be someone worth investigating …. 

No I'm not color blind

I know the world is black and white

Try to keep an open mind but...

I just can't sleep on this tonight

Stop this train I want to get off and go home again ….

Introduced as being hard to play on bass, Oscar Pettiford’s “Tricotism” saw more soloing from soprano sax, guitar, bass …. ending with the band trading chops with the drummer.

Closer was Earth Wind and Fire’s “Star” with the electric bass re-appearing, followed by ace solos from sax and guitar and some more heavy drumming to close. A damn sight better than the original!

This was a mellow gig from a band high on the musicianship quota. Whilst the audience was not big as might have been hoped for, it valued the performance.

It was the second time I’ve seen this band and from a purely personal point of view, the inclusion of Dave O’Higgins made the performance unique. It would be great if he could bring a band of his own to Seven sometime – in the meantime, it was a real buzz to hear Pop Bop again. 

As John Mayer said …. I just can't sleep on this tonight!