I Took A Trip On A Train and I wish I'd took the bus!..

There is something about a good big band that draws musicians and listeners together. In the case of the Customs House Big Band, for me, it is the superbly blended sax section, for others it's the power of the brass or the swinging rhythm section - not forgetting Ruth's vocals which were superb tonight. Add the solos and you have as near perfection as you're ever going to get in big band music.

I loved every moment but, boats and buses and trains beckoned so I reluctantly opted out of the second set. I bounced down to the ferry landing, Ruth's Embraceable You jostling with the band's Woodchoppers Ball in my head. Alan 's tenor solos, Jill's gorgeous alto sound, Michael Lamb, the high note guy - the lot - my mind was full of it. South Shield's Metro was full of officials all grouped together so - being in a group mood - I took a photo of them thinking it would add a nice touch to what had been an evening of togetherness both on and off stage and one that the Metro folk's families might appreciate.

I confess that I got that one wrong!

Their spokesman demanded I remove the photo from my camera at once!

I flipped as one would in the circumstances and, in a senior moment, couldn't remember how to delete a photo! - it happens buddy when you reach the silver years!

I got on the train and was ordered off the train. Next thing there were police on the scene. I wondered if I'd accidentally left a hand-grenade in my pocket.

The cop deleted the photo from my camera - I asked him where he was when my my house was burgled or my car stolen but he just shrugged.

What the hell - the band still sounded great and, paradoxically, their first number had been Gordon Goodwin's The Jazz Police! Gig photos.

Lance.