Downed in double quick time it was back to the Saville Exchange and as if by magic the band had just resumed with Sammy Nestico's arrangement of Witchcraft. Sonny Rollins' Doxy was a welcome addition to the programme and award winning vocalist Ruth Lambert rejoined the band for a couple of numbers - Night and Day (a favourite) and the Etta James' classic At Last (another fovourite).
Stan Kenton has his fans and he has his detractors. Well, I defy anyone not to be impressed by the band's version of Peanut Vendor. The trumpet section on this one was as good as it gets and the smiles were evident as they nailed it. Take a bow boys - Paul Riley-Gledhill, Michael Lamb, Kevin Eland and Gordon Marshall.
The North Shields' heatwave made it hotter, I bet, than New Orleans and after Kenton there was a welcome Warm Breeze (Sammy Nestico - again!) enabling the band to take it down a degree or two. The Buddy Rich arrangement of Love For Sale put drummer David Francis in the spotlight and the encore - Alright, Okay, You Win - reunited Ms. Ruth Lambert with the orchestra to send us on our way.
Russell.
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