rodric white quartet

i hadn't planned on another friday night sound lounge visit
but partway through the day it was decided some live music was needed
the best tonic for anything and all else that may be ailing the mind
this show advertised with a special guest making up the quartet
dale barlow adding flute and sax noises to the piano-based trio
rodric white the composer, leader and pianist in this unheard outfit
dave goodman - heard of but never heard - on drums and percussion
an unheard of kevin hailey completing the lineup on double bass
sadly it's a small audience in attendance at tonight's show - about 40
and mostly clustered around the tables at the rear of the lounge
leaving me with a fine choice of tables up front where i settled in
a big breath, beer in hand and ready once again to be swept up
things start quite tentatively which is not unusual at this venue
a sure sign of very capable musicians finding their way
in an outfit that probably rehearses and plays quite rarely
but that is also the thing that also amazes me about this music
it can be complex but skillset and confidence makes a huge difference
dale barlow would have to be one of the most capable musos around
which had me thinking that rodric white must also be highly regarded
the writeup indicating he has travelled and recorded extensively
tonight he politely introduces each tune and goes to work
he's not a large chap and with head down the piano swallows him up
at least from my seat where his presence is in sound only
in each tune you can pick out the gentle melody of the piano
but whatever dale barlow is doing at the time dominates the sound
he switches seamlessly between flute, alto and tenor saxophones
in several cases asking his leader which instrument is preferred
the rhythm department looking comfortable with each other
smiles and laughs exchanged as they play without fuss or fanfare
after a few tunes the pattern has been well established
rodric white is the man with the tunes and therefore in charge
there is definitely something very appealing about his sense of melody
each tune was quite different to each other - a feat in itself
one in particular - because of you (?) - just beautiful and melodic
suggesting in recorded mode this music would be worth checking out
especially as dale barlow has also been involved in the recordings
and here the man at centre stage can't help but be the centre of attention
he has an imposing physical presence as does the music he plays
my thinking being that anyone he played with would have to lack ego
fortunately tonight that is the case as rodric white happily sits back
lets the man do what he is here for - fill out the sound superbly
it's not often the flute is heard as the lead sound in a jazz combo
but tonight dale barlow reminded us all how it can be played
a rich, strong, haunting, floating sound that dominates the tune
there's piano and rhythm in there somewhere as well
on occassions mr barlow would step aside and let the others have a go
rodric white adding some interesting flourishes on the yamaha c5
one quite loud and busy drum solo that didn't seem out of place
but the sound seemed to be lacking without the brass
in the second set things seemed to pick up in pace and intensity
rodric white introducing a tune inspired by african music
what followed was a great ensemble piece that had them all hard at it
that seemed to give them confidence for the remainder of the set
except for one uninspiring, under-rehearsed, very average waltz tune
one of those rare times when you just want it over and done with
but apart from that it was a very enjoyable night of music
take a nod mr white and co, take a bow mr barlow
his dominance highlighted by the last tune
an improvised free-for-all with 2 distinctive components
pianist almost floundering trying to find his part in this piece
and a sax player seemingly using the moment to have an indulgent blast
good stuff - wouldn't have been anywhere else
....again