It took a while to get the balance right but when they did it was like Whoosh!
Waltz For Debbie,swung all the way, and in 3/4 time, unlike the versions by Bill Evans/Peterson and others who invariably go to 4/4 for the solos. This was a piece de resistance with Mark and Pete giving "Debbie" a night to remember!
Stella by Artois , as Pete introduced the well known standard, was another lady taken on a whirlwind trip as Mark sent her on a journey to and beyond the stars at an ever increasing tempo that approached the speed of light. Paul Susans dug in and steadied the ship as Jeff's drums broke through the Sound Barrier.
Interval time and a bottle of London Pride was called for to dilute the adrenalin.
Good to see John Taylor of Ashington who confessed that he'd never heard Pete Gilligan before tonight - he was impressed!
Second set and Debra Milne was up doing Senor Blues and Long Way to Go - the latter, a Coltrane number, had Aussie trumpet player Richard Burns blowing a minimalist, yet effective, solo and Debra handling the tricky lyric with apparent ease.
A funky instrumental had some great Hammond sounds before they signed off with All Blues. Not surprisingly bass and trumpet were well featured.
A good session that only needed a few more jammers.
Lance.
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