Ray Harley (tpt), Herbie Hudson (tmb/vcl/hca), Jim McBriarty (clt), Malcolm Armstrong (pno), Alan Rudd (bs), Tommy Graham (dms), Olive Rudd (vcl).
For a while something has been puzzling me about Ms. Malone's establishment. It's an Irish bar with pictures of shamrocks adorning the walls yet tis rare to see someone drinking Guinness let alone Poteen. Come to that, nor can I recall the Maine Street Jazzmen playing any Irish rebel songs.
Nevertheless, they may be found wanting when it comes to "The Wearing of the Green" but they are on the ball when it comes to Jazz Standards.
Today's programme included "At The Jazz Band Ball", "Jazz Me Blues", "When It's Sleepy Time Down South" and "Way Down Upon The Swannee River". Olive was up for "Back in Your Own Back Yard", "Swing That Music", "Some of These Days" and "When You're Smiling" which she executed with style and panache.
A couple of Kenny Ball numbers were called out resulting in stirring renditions of "Midnight in Moscow" and "So Do I".
Ray Harley is still around and the word is that he'll be here for a few weeks yet. If he continues playing like he did today that is very good news indeed.
The whole band played well with Herbie sliding back and forth from rough to smooth, Jim, as inscrutable as the Blarney Stone and as agile as a leprachaun, Malcolm defying belief that he has but ten fingers, Alan walking the the bass round the block and back again whilst Tommy, at times, reminded me of George Wettling. Which just leaves Olive who was, quite simply, Olive.
To ensure that the high standard was maintained the Jazz Police in the form of Russell and Paul were on vigilante patrol but fortunately there wasn't a banjo in sight so no arrests were made.
Lance.
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