New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Gateshead Old Town Hall Sat. Jan.. 28

Steve Andrews (alt/ten/clt); Alan Hastings (alt/ten/clt); Jim McBriarty (clt/alt/bar/vcl); Tom Cook (cor); Caroline Irwin (cor/vcl); Ed Cross (vln); Neville Hartley (tmb); Keith Nichols (pno/vcl); Keith Stephen (gtr/bjo); Phil Rutherford (sousa); Steve Doyle (dms).

This gig took me back to childhood days.  I remembered watching television programmes such as The Roaring Twenties or The Temperance Seven with my parents.  The  orchestra created a fun atmosphere,  what with sousaphone,  violin,  banjo and  piano (besides the  usual brass and reed instruments and drums), and the lovely singing of Caroline Irwin who was clad appropriately in a black dress with silver trim and  headband with a flower, matching the smart black and white suits of the rest of the band.  Almost every seat in  the hall was  taken, which  was a  credit to the band.

We had a feast of Scott Joplin, Cole Porter, Blues of the happier variety, lots of Duke Ellington and many more.  Songs ranged from the more serious I’m Through With Love to delightfully silly songs such as My Sweet Tooth Says I Wanna But My Wisdom Tooth Says No; and Washing Dishes With My Sweetie.  Jim McBriarty lent his vocal chords to the latter number and there were two special feature spots from guest pianist Keith Nichols, when Keith and the drummer had the stage to themselves, and the rest of the band went for a brandy, so the sax playing master of ceremonies, Steve Andrews told us.  Keith treated us to tunes from 1929, for instance Old Man Sunshine and I’ll Get By.  For his second set he played Duke Ellington numbers; Solitude; Sophisticated Lady; and a tune which has no name, from the Creole Suite.  To say that this man plays well is an understatement, and the playing was tastefully complemented by the gently brushed drums of Steve Doyle.  

During ensemble playing there were many skilled solos from various other band members.  Steve Andrews was featured on tenor with just piano and drums for support on I Guess I'll Have To Change My Plan. Throughout the evening the master of ceremonies held it all together well, right through to the encore Prince of Wails.

What a lovely way to spend a Saturday evening.
Photos.

Ann Alex