ARTIE FISHEL AND THE PROMISED BAND
(Gilad Atzmon)
Bonington Theatre, High Street, Arnold
Thursday, 21 September 2006
By Trudie Squires
IN THIS band, bristling with aka's, saxophonist Gilad Atzmon
(Artie Fishel), posing here as a hyperactive musician, attempting
to convince his audience that jazz has nothing to with America
and is a Jewish musical art form born in the ghettos of Eastern
Europe. Of course, those who have seen Gilad in action before
have come to accept his madcap humour, pretentious musical themes
and controversial political views. But all the fooling around,
crazy dress, funny wigs and hats were just a masquerade for some
superb jazz, played by four exceptionally fine musicians; Atzmon,
playing alto sax and clarinet; John Turville (aka McGoy Tyner),
who excelled on piano, keyboards and a battered Fender Rhodes
synthesizer; Yaron Stavi (aka Jacko Pastrami) providing a rock
steady bottom line on electric bass; and Gilad's long-serving
drummer, Asaf Sirkis (aka Peter Forskine) - an exceptional
percussionist.
The contrasts in the group's output were amazing; sounding one
moment like a fairground organ, switching instantly to straight
ahead bebop. A medley from West Side Story though
heavily disguised, produced snatches of classic bebop from
Atzmon's frantic alto. Nature Boy received similar
treatment, the theme could be recognised all through despite
Gilad's valiant efforts to twist it in all directions. Hilarious
anecdotes and a crazy joke were highlights of the group's version
of Somewhere Over The Rainbow, while Gillespie's
Night In Tunisi a was taken at a tremendous tempo;
Gilad's alto driven along by Sirkis' impeccable drumming. Gilad
announced that the only musical form they had not attempted to
demolish was the bossa nova and the group launched into Antonio
Carlos Jobim's classic composition Wave featuring
Atzmon's white hot sax and an amazing conglomeration of sounds
from Turville's Fender Rhodes.
