Mike Durham (tpt/vcl), Derek Fleck (clt.alt/vcl), Brian Chester (pno), Keith Stephen (bjo), Phil Rutherford (sousa), Kenny Milne (dms).One thing about WJRK is their repertoire - I think Mike Durham once told me they had over 600 - maybe even 720 (tunes) - in the book. If so, it is no surprise that they are able to avoid the flogged to death numbers so beloved of many trad bands.
Indeed, tonight, the only numbers that could be said to have suffered from over-exposure were Savoy Blues and Tiger Rag. However, some creativity from Brian Chester and Keith Stephen, the world's least baddest banjoist, respectively, gave validity to the old warhouses.
Other tunes included Egyptian Ella, Bimbo on a Bamboo Island, Let's Misbehave - this was quite unique as it had a scattish vocal from Derek Fleck - Buddy's Habits, Jackass Blues, Cake-walking Babies - there were other quite obscure numbers too which made for a pleasant albeit not earth-shattering night.
On sousaphone Phil Richardson, on occasion, had the agility of a string bass and his tone on solos was positively sonorous.
The drum stool was occupied by Kenny Milne, all the way from Edinburgh, Scotland. Unfamiliar with much of the material Kenny kept a low-profile whilst doing everything that was asked.
Mike Durham, these days, sounds more like Humph than Humph both playing and announcing.
Vocalwise the mic system didn't do him justice likewise the lighting system didn't help Brian.
The band wore ties with red peppers on them - I kid you not! -and in many ways they sounded like Jelly Roll Morton's Red Hot Peppers without Jelly Roll Morton.
Despite a few gliches here and there which emphasised the fact that this is a band that isn't playing together as frequently as it deservedly should be I enjoyed the evening and the reasonably sized audience trotted home contentedly.
Next month, March 13, is the big one - Daryl Sherman with the Digby Fairweather Quartet. I can't wait even if it is just to see how Daryl finds the transition from the Waldorf Astoria, New York, to Trinity Centre, Gosforth.
No I'm looking forward to them both - See and hear her from the Oak Room of the Algonquin Hotel, New York City in this YouTube clip..
Lance.
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