Alan Smith (tpt/flg), Iain MacAulay (tmb), Jim McBriarty (clt/alt/vcl), John Hallam ( ten/ clt/curved sop), Jeremy McMurray (pno), Jim ? (bs), Ernie Jackson (dms).
Second opportunity in a couple of weeks to enjoy the playing of John Hallam, the previous gig being with Roly and co at Blaydon.
This time, within the confines of Alan Smith's Dream Band, he proved just as adept floating through the ensembles without upsetting the equilibrium of the front-line. Solo-wise he flitted from clarinet to tenor to curved soprano producing an almost Hodges-like mellifluousness on the latter instrument. On clarinet John was featured on a couple of Goodmanesque quartet numbers- Avalon and Poor Butterfly.
Not that this was a one-man show. The Dreamers get a good sound and solo equally well. I'd never heard Alan Smith for some time but he has lost none of his drive - a big full tone that reached out from the Cricket Club to the Rugby Club next door calling the children back home.
The ever-present Jim McBriarty, unfazed by his illustrious fellow reed-man blew alto and clarinet as well as a few vocals. Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans? - such a lovely tune - being but one. Alexander's Ragtime Band another.
On trombone, Iain, slipping and sliding in and around Lady Be Good, Satin Doll, So Do I and the opener - Swing That Music, played with his usual panache accompanied of course by Jeremy. Sitting by the piano it was quite awesome to observe Jeremy's stretch - tenths? twelthes? No wonder he plays such big juicy chords!
Ernie Jackson on drums - long time since I heard Ernie - kept it swinging and a bass player, new to me, Jim - didn't catch his second name - was strong yet subtle laying down the harmonic foundation to it all.The Fell is a good venue inasmuch as it has a dance floor and folk enjoy the social occasion as much as the music. No pin dropping silences or tut tutting here just good foot-tapping fun.
Although I only stayed for the first set it was most enjoyable.
Lance.
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