Debra Milne (vcl), Stuart Findon, Fiona Littlewood (ten/backing vcl), Eddie Nickson (gtr), Chris Finch (pno), Jim Crinson (bs), Eric Stutt (dms).--------------------
Dave Weisser (tpt/vcl), Paul Gowland (ten), Barrie Ascroft (pno), Jim Crinson (bs), Eric Stutt (dms). + Harley Johnson (pno).
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Another stonker from Budvivar who turned in their usual punchy hit 'em where it hurts performance. Both Stuart and Fiona were on top form with Stuart, as Russell described him, in Tough Texas Tenor mode and Fiona offering a lighter contrasting sound. Paul Gowland made it a three tenor horn section when he joined them on Silver's "The Jody Grind".
Debra sang in her easily identifiable style and has to be given a medal for bravery in choosing to sing Monk's "Ask Me Now". The gal's got guts - she made it! Debs also shone on "If I Were A Bell".
On piano Chris Finch - although as committed to Hampton Hawes as Harley is to Monk - had a few monastic excursions of his own on "In Walked Bud" whilst Eddie, in his last gig with the band, also kicked in with some forceful guitar solos. Jim and Eric kept it all together with some effective stoking in the engine room.
Eric was particularly impressive on "Green Dolphin Street" - imaginative cymbal work.
With the departure of Eddie it will be interesting to see how Budvivar restructure.
It was definitely a Dolphin night as, earlier, Dave and the gang did Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance" to great effect.
"Blue Bossa" and "Bloke's Blues" had some cool trumpet from Dave who also threw away some vocal lines on Dolphin. By this time Paul Gowland had joined Dave in the frontline although Paul's finest moment came late on for a sumptuous version of "Darn That Dream".
To finish off, the inevitable and eagerly anticipated, sit him by Harley who excelled on "Four" and "A Train" which also had a Dave 'Scat Man' Weisser vocal.
It was a good night. Next week it's the Alan Glen Trio.
Lance.
PS: With Harley and Chris and Alan Glen around, I tend to forget about Barrie who, in his own unassuming way, plays a lot of piano too. Big hand for Barrie.
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