Review Centre: 1990s Era Musicians & Bands

"All of this is an admittedly roundabout way of confessing that I wasn't prepared to be as delighted as I am with Go Tell It on the Mountain (Silkheart), an album of traditional hymns and originals with heaven-gazing titles by Booker T. Williams Jr., a New York-based tenor saxophonist originally from Seattle who performs as Booker T. The obsessive soul-searching implicit in the programming suggests an affinity with John Coltrane. But unlike too many of the saxophonists who aim for Coltrane's spiritual elevation, Booker T has a devilish sense of humor best illustrated by his "Say amen, Gracie" drollery on "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," a homey little melody he elongates and fragments with the comic élan of a Sonny Rollins. In fact, the classic album that Go Tell It on the Mountain most recalls is Way Out West, Rollins's 1958 album of cowboy tunes--and not just because Booker T, like Rollins before him, finds inspiration in unlikely places. It's also because Booker T's interaction with the bassist Saheb Sarbib and the drummer Andrew Cyrille is as carefree and almost as electrifying as Rollins's with Ray Brown and Shelly Manne thirty years ago (or better yet, with Wilbur Ware and Elvin Jones on A Night at the Village Vanguard, from around the same time). Despite the sarcasm implicit in Booker T's low-register bleats, his performances of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Jesus Loves Me" exude sincerity, much the way Rollins's interpretations of oddball pop tunes do. For Booker T, as for Rollins, satire is a sign of respect, not condescension. Booker T is ecumenical: one of the album's most infectious cuts is "Halle Kalle Mazeltov," a hora whose modality he cagily exploits. The Spartan trio format means that Sarbib and Cyrille have to function as soloists as well as rhythm stalwarts, and both men shoulder the added burden gracefully, maintaining melodic continuity in a manner that bassists and drummers seldom do when they solo. Despite the length of some of the tracks (the title tune, which is just over sixteen minutes, is a Booker T original, not the folk song of the same name), Booker T's solos never deteriorate into self-indulgent braying. His sense of thematic exposition is too well developed for that-another cue he takes from Rollins. (And as if to underscore his lineage, the CD-only bonus track is Rollins's calypso "St. Thomas.") He switches to alto on his own "When Mama Cries I Cry," and his phrasing is impressively speechlike on this lighter horn. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"SUPERB as always guys, genuine talent and your love of music shines through. Love attending your gigs. I did find us in these pics but we are looking so serious, we were having a great time - honest! Kind regards Yvonne & Ross"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Awesome ambiance for out dinner after celebrating my mommas wedding"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We hired Any's Band a full year before our big day. The wait was sooooo worth it! They’re such a fun vibe. Can’t say enough about this band! 10/10!!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"They band sound great, and they play good music. They were perfect for my birthday celebrations. Thank you so much."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Mixtures of different songs with her hilarious banter. A real party starter. Gets people to do the slosh. Honestly if you ever looking for a singer for any events this is right person for you. Guarantee you she will give a night for you to remember. Book her now! Really you don’t know what you’re missing out on."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Played 2 sets plus background music, people got up and danced along, their music covered all decades 50’s to 2010 perfect choices, friendly guys too!!"

Rating: 9 / 10 Share this review:

"Quinteto Boemio was absolutely amazing! They completely delivered on fantastic song choices, atmosphere and everything in-between! João and his team were so helpful during the planning process of this, as we are a U.K. based organisation planning our first event in Lisbon, his help was greatly apricated. Our guests were blown away by the skills and vocals of the band and was a highlight of our event. Would 100% book them again if ever back in Lisbon. 10/10 Thank you to Quinteto Boemio again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Hire Bands UK, Just wanted to say a big thank you for last night. Coaster were great & everyone has said how fantastic the band were. And you got everyone dancing all night. It really did make our Wedding that extra bit special. Thank you also for performing our 1st Dance. Cheers Matt & Leanne *****"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Dear Band, Just a quick letter to thank you all for playing at our Wedding. All our guests commented on how great you all were & particularly great vocals. Every time i looked at the dance-floor it was packed full of people dancing & smiling. Thank you for bearing with me & letting me play on the drums. I was impressed with how you all managed to hold it together. Chris was chuffed too as has never seen me play before. We will definitely be recommending your band to our friends & families for other Weddings & Parties. Thank again Laura & Chris Hanks *****"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A Fabulous band to see a good variety of Music / Songs. They work together very well as a team. They never disappoint, good all round entertainment "

Reply by New Blanca Band
Thanks for the positive review Pauline, we really appreciate it. The team works hard so it means a lot when people notice.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Wired played 2 fabulous sets with something for everyone's musical taste. Also the DJ service carried out by Matt from the band was fantastic. This is the 4th party Matt and the band have carried out for us and would highly recommend them. Thanks Matt and the Band once again."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We had some lovely lads play at our Rented villa in Rhodes in August and they were amazing! From my first enquiry the band were great at communicating and liaising with us to ensure our evening was perfectly set-up. They are super talented and created a great party which everyone enjoyed and couldn't stop talking about! "

Reply by Some Lovely Lads
Thank you so much! We had a great time too

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Read the room… good thing Dr. Hinojosa is also an accomplished author. Doc creates the perfect playlist for any event/ situation. Dr. Hinojosa’s is a masterful musician. I’d dare say he is on par or better than some instrumentalist I know that have played at Carnage. If you get the chance to listen Dr. Saxy play don’t pass the opportunity up. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thanks for a great evening of 70's 80's 90's & mr brightside, music which 95% of was my kinda stuff! I was the long haired , white shirted dude having a dance on my mates 65th birthday do. After a few pints , baby Guinness, shot of jd & a strange coulered spirit in a tiny bottle thoroughly enjoyed your stuff. Not the loudest but a nice quality sound played with a great professionalism & made this 62 year old with a dodgy knee, dance like nobody was watching! Remembering the sounds of yester year when I was young! Ha ha Hats off to you young guys keeping those sounds alive ...even the bassist who seems to have had a rough paper round when he was younger! Highly recommend you lads! Keep up the good work for us oldies to relive our youth! Cheers! "

Reply by Break Out - Classic & Modern Rock Band
Thank you so much for your review and we are humbled by your feedback. Hope to see you at one of our shows in the future.

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: