Nice is a word I try to avoid; conjuring up twee images of Marshmallow and Turkish Delight as it does.
Well it does for me anyway.
Yet there is no other word to describe tonight's session at Blaydon. It was nice - and there wasn't a marshmallow in sight. What there was in abundance, was tasteful and melodic renditions of some fine standards by an alto player very much in the Benny Carter mould. I've known Gary Linsley for many years but, surprisingly, hadn't heard him play more than a few bars until tonight. It was my loss.
The rhythm section of Jeremy McMurray (pno), Paul Armstrong (bs), Billy Shields (dms) and of course Roly Veitch on guitar and vocals were the perfect cushion for Gary as well as soloing effectively in their own right.
Not very easy to pick a favourite although "I Saw Stars" would be difficult to bet against. Roly's 'Chet meets Rebecca Kilgore' vocal launching Gary into perhaps his best solo of the night. "I Wished On The Moon" and "I Fall In Love Too Easily" were also front runners in an evening of non Turkish delights.
The feelgood factor was high.
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