Do you remember that Bing Crosby song - It's June in January? Well today it was January in June! It was that cold sitting in the grounds of the Cumberland Arms in Byker. Nevertheless, the music made up for it.
The Sour Mash Trio gave a solid country set with more than a hint of Rock 'n' Roll that went down well - as did the Geordie Jazz Ale!
As the stage was prepared for the next act, the Swing 8 DJs gave us some Benny Goodman, Al Bowlly singing You're a Sweetheart and some Sidney Bechet before Lady Koo and the Kooky Kitchen (pictured) took to the stage.
Lady K, dressed as a 1920's sporty type, was suddenly, Ruth Etting, Babs Streisand, Annette Hanshaw and several other flapperettes. but, most of all, she was herself.
French chanson, Finnish folk, American songbook, an original and a number that was pure George Melly - I Didn't Like It The First Time... I've just been listening to a couple of tracks by Lady K - Occidental Woman and Ten Cents a Dance - what a great gal. Not that the others in the band are slouches. Guitar, violin, bass but this woman is absolutely superb!
More DJ Swing then it was time for Rob Heron and the Tea Pad Orchestra to keep in the game.
Lady Koo had dressed in '20s tennis gear, Rob Heron was in '30s golfing gear and the band birdied and eagled their way through Cajun and Gypsy, Country and Folk and good old R 'n' R. The Dixie Six horns joined them prior to their own set.
T.J Muller and the Dixie Horns are from Edinburgh and are amazingly young. So young they look incapable of absorbing the traditional jazz legacy. Yet they have done it brilliantly opening up with the Crosby/Armstrong number from High Society - Now You Has Jazz. They also added a high flying take on some unlikely numbers - The Kinks' Sunny Afternoon being typical. I just loved it.
I was unable to hang around for the Cow Tippers of Kentucky set which I wanted to as Hannah Rickard is always good to hear.
Hannah and Tim Bloomer by the way...
A splendid afternoon/early evening that even the British temperatures couldn't spoil - what do you expect? It's still only June!.
Photos.
Lance.
A splendid afternoon/early evening that even the British temperatures couldn't spoil - what do you expect? It's still only June!.
Photos.
Lance.
1 comment :
Lady Koo says BIG thank you for Rob who organised this fab event + all the other acts who were great! and last but not least, had a great time performing thanks to NortEast audience that is simply the best! Bebop Spoken ,thank you! www.facebook.com/pages/Lady-Koo-and-The-Kooky -Kitchen
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