Keith Stephen (gtr/uke); Roly Veitch (gtr/vcl); Bruce Rollo (bs); Caroline Irwin (vcl/perc.) Mike Piggott (vln). Several of the tracks were recorded live in the Old Ship Inn at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea during the summer. However, I must confess that, by closing my eyes, I found myself transported from the Northumberland coast to the River Seine where I was sipping un aperitif in a café on the Left Bank. The second world war may be imminent but with the Maginot Line and music like this who cares?
Wait a minute - this isn't Paris even though Mamselle Irwin chantez
Autumn Leaves (Les Feuilles Morte) - this is today and Mike Piggott is keeping the Grappelli image alive with some fine swing fiddling whilst leader Stephen and his cohorts are doing the same for Django.
It's an enjoyable CD - Keith Stephen can slug it out with most of the better known gypsy guitarists aided and abetted by Roly's chordal support and Bruce's sympathetic bass-lines. Roly also kicks in with a couple of vocals (
I Saw Stars and
Sweet Sue) as well as his own pieces -
Attune and
Calypso Jim. Caroline, slots in nicely with idiomatic vocals culminating in
Running Wild - You Like it Hot? You got it!
A special mention of
Robbins' Nest - great tune - should be in every band's repertoire - well maybe not every band!
Audio samples. and info on purchase.
Recommended.
Lance.
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