The Mighty Joe Young Band - City Hall 1961

Prob line-up: John Walters (tpt/vcl), Barry Robinson (alt), Leo Harwood, (ten), Dick Errington (bar), Bill Harper? (pno), Brian Fisher (bs), John 'Joe' Young (gtr), Ian Forbes (dms). + Eric Burdon.

I've recently obtained a recording of the Mighty Joe Young Band playing live at Newcastle City Hall in 1961 - an event that was advertised as "The City Hall Jazz Festival" - possibly the city's first ever jazz festival?

It is an eyeopener. Much has been made, and rightly so, of the Emcee 5 on the local scene but this band was up there with them and I would be so bold as to say that, at the time, John Walters was probably a better trumpet player than Ian Carr. Ian, of course went on to achieve international status whilst John became a Radio 1 producer; a role he performed until his death in 2001 aged 62. Had John Walters remained a trumpet-player who knows what heights he may have reached musically - if not financially. He also sings on "Just Squeeze Me" but we won't talk about that!

Ian Forbes, who provided me with the recording, drives the band along forcefully dropping bombs at the appropriate target points - "Standing Room Only" a case in point. On alto, Barry Robinson is featured extensively on "Jeep's Blues".

More Ellington with "The Jeep Is Jumping" and punchy solos all round.

"Let The Good Times Roll" has the pre-Animal Eric Burdon shouting the blues whilst the band riff along behind. Even though the recording verges on the primitive it doesn't detract from the music - quality nostalgia.

This begs the question, were you there? April 21, 1961 was the date - you must remember - it's only 48 years ago. If you were there let us have your memories.

Lance.