Polar Bear

[Bobby G]

Another tune on theJazz recently that I really like a lot was 'On the tips of fingers' by Polar Bear, quite 'modern', good sound, quirky/bouncy time signature in parts, consisted of bass and drums with two horns, alto and tenor, both of which were marvellous. One would solo while the other provided a riff or laid out altogether, and the whole thing was kind of cheeky and effervescent, as well as toe-tappingly accessible. I'd like to know more about them. Was it Oli who sung their praises in the past?

Cheers, Bob

 

[Jules]

One of theri sax players also plays with a great outfit who go by the utterly inappropriate name of Acoustic Ladyland. They're really raucous, ful ltilt Jazz- punk... A bit like a bari sax jamming with the Stranglers- great stuff!!

 

[mfox]

a good band to try is "tok tok tok" search i tunes.. their sax player is really good, playing in a post bop style that really fits their stuff

 

[oliver_bentley]

Yeh it was me who sung their praises Bob. And deservedly so, saw them live in Halifax, and the energy they give off was fantastic. Didnt think that much of them till heard them live, but it was great.

As for Acoustic Ladyland (named after Hendrix's Electric Ladyland, their 1st album was a load of Hendrix covers) the sax player, pete wareham, is indeed in Polar Bear. As is the Drummer, Seb Roachford - amazing player, amazing hair - and the basist Tom (Herbert, I think)

They're 2nd album is Last Chance Disco, is fantastic. They're latest output, Skinny Grin, is ok in parts, but too much vocals and attempting to be a punk band for my liking. Prefered it when it was just instrumental - was unique then.

Still well worth checking out both though, very different in style, but similar in attitude.

Oli

 

[funkymonk]

I love to touch the red brick, the drums and the sax hits the spot for me. As for a coustic ladyland i agree wit oliver, however I still need to get their first album.

 

[rhysonsax]

I saw Polar Bear at the Aberdeen jazz festival last month. Excellent night and probably the wackiest jazz gig I have been to.

As well as Pete Wareham on tenor there was Mark Lockheart. Bass player was Tom Herbert who was great and looked like a history student, Seb Roachford of the enormous hair was from Aberdeen so was involved in banter with the crowd, but the most softly-spoken leader you can imagine. The band was completed by "Leafcutter John" who looked like he was still at school and was doing the weirdest sampling and altering sounds like a balloon squeaking. Just great !

Lots of the tunes seemed to be so new that they didn't have names yet. One that was well known to their fans and was really good was called "Beartown" from their "Held on the Tips of Fingers" CD.

Strongly recommended if you get a chance to see them.

Rhys

 

[Bobby G]

I'm interested in the live sampling side of it. I saw Matthew Herbert doing the same thing with his big band's version of Tubbs' "Down in the Village" which was, erm, mildly confusing but in a good way - the whole tune was underpinned by a kind of pulsating didgeridoo sound, while riffs and licks were randomly fed back into the live mix. Oddly, it worked really well.

There's plenty of this newer stuff on theJazz on a Friday night.

Cheers, Bob