Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Corner House

Peter Wright (tpt/vcl), Barry Soulsby (clt/vcl), Laurence McBriarty (tmb), Brian Bennett (bjo/vcl), Brian Sibbald (bs), Fred Thompson (dms). Tonight's gig was in the bar, the Function Room being in use for, presumably, a function. Soundwise it was much better. The ensembles came across as a band rather than six individuals and it was a good sound.

A fairly predictable couple of sets with "Embraceable You" worthy of special mention. It was a vocal for Fred with an outstanding Braff-like solo from Peter Wright. "Embraceable You" accompanied by banjo brings to mind Bill Harper (or was it Roly?) commenting a while back about the incompatibility of "Laura" with the banjo. This was in the same league and yet it worked.

Other highlights included; a foot tapping "At The Jazz Band Ball" and "Willie The Weeper". Barry Soulsby singing "Exactly Like You" and "The Yes Yes In Your Eyes". "Makin' Whoopee" had good solos and, in truth, if you closed your eyes, you could have been anywhere from Storyville in 1919 to Cooks Ferry Inn circa 1950.

Lance.