Fiona Littlewood (ten/vcl); Stuart Findon (ten); Harley Johnson (pno); Jim Crinson (bs); Tim Mills (gtr); Eric Stutt (dms).
The latest Splinter offering saw two tenors blazing into The Message was this the new New Couriers? I could have been excused for thinking so because the sound was very much reminiscent of Tubbs and Ronnie's band of yore. No this was Budtones the band spawned from the late Budvivar.
After The Message I'd have happily settled for an evening of instrumentals however, Fiona isn't just an attractive tenor player but also an emerging singer who sounds better by the minute and the rest of the evening was mainly vocal based although not without an abundance of solos.
Stuart Findon is one of the best tenor players around with a bold, robust sound that contrasts nicely with Fiona's more gentile approach. Good to hear Harley "Thelonious" Johnson once more - I guess he's been in the woodshed honing his skills. Tim Mills, on guitar, had some fine solos - most notably on Secret Love - whilst The rhythm section gave a lesson in dynamics on the same tune.
A program of originals and standards that included a torchy vocal on You Don't Know What Love is, an unusual take on My Funny Valentine, Stella by Starlight, a rocking Stu's Blues and Notology. The latter tune so titled because it wasn't a bebop riff if that makes sense!
Enjoyable.
Lance.
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