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Jazz on 3 record Led Bib
at The Vortex

Thursday September 20

By Paul Nickson (Track the Right Take Ltd)

 

Pete Freshney of 'As The Crow Flies' and I arrived at the Vortex on 20th September (2007) to record Led Bib for another of BBC Radio 3's 'Jazz On 3' programmes, eagerly anticipating an easy get-in, now that all the local building works are complete.

To our delight, it was even easier than expected. After Will (The Vortex Manager) had lifted one of the removable bollards between Gillett St. and the Square we parked Pete's Mobile recording vehicle adjacent to the building and ran the necessary cables from it up through an opening (approx 15cm in diameter) to the first floor under stage right.

The total run for all cables including power could not have been any longer than 7m - including the necessary 'dressing' of the cables to make them safe outside! In total parking the vehicle and rigging the cables took under 10 mins! This means of course that it is not only unprecedentedly easy to rig into the Vortex but very quick too.

So, now it was time to rig the stage for the show. Our stage box was situated at up-stage-left, next to the venue's PA stage box, making 'splitting' of our mics for PA a breeze. Audience mics were rigged as a pair over the stage and we were ready for soundcheck. Meanwhile as ever the venue staff were more than helpful, keeping us alive with coffees and encouragement!

All in all the whole operation from arriving to being ready for action took under an hour and after some negotiations with the band regarding what happens and when during the gig we had a quick soundcheck...then it was time for tea!
Conveniently, downstairs underneath the Vortex is a great Italian Restaurant, 'Ochre Works', appropriately named which served excellent quality food which we enjoyed 'al fresco' at a table outside in the Square itself.

As the band were eating there as well we could keep an eye on them so that when they disappeared back into the venue, we could run back the long 5m to the truck to be ready to record! As a recording team, like an army marches on its stomach we were happy and full ready for the evening's magic.

So the whole experience was really easy and relaxed, making it our favourite jazz venue to record at. The 'Mobile-friendliness' of the Vortex, the local ambience of the Square and the warm reception from the staff is unprecedented (not to mention the excellent pizza we devoured before the show!)

If you are looking for a venue with a lively and great atmosphere at which to record a live album and a Mobile with over half a century of recording and broadcast experience amongst its operators to capture the event then look no further! Just listen to Jazz On 3 (Radio 3 – Friday nights at 23.30 - 01.00) and you'll hear why!

Paul Nickson MIBS, Director
Track The Right Take Ltd


44/0-1634-306553
44/0-7941-158468
tracktherighttake@blueyonder.co.uk
www.ttrt.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
www.asthecrowflies.biz

 

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