Belinda Voshtina (vcl); Sam Kelly (ten/clt); James Harrison (pno/Hammond); Ian Simpson (gtr); James Robson (bs); Joe Booth (dms).The Lemon Tops who, paradoxically, didn't wear lemon tops (a take on the Yellow Jackets I guess) are students from the BMus Course and fine examples they are too.
The young group get a good sound despite the sometimes unflattering acoustics of The Concourse. Nice to hear clarinet in a modern context - surely the first time locally since the late great Charlie Carmichael!
Sam acquitted himself well on Blue Monk, In Walked Bud and a melancholic Beautiful Love.
Their choice of a Gasbook program surprised me. Don't get me wrong, as you all know the Great American Songbook is my Bible but I'd have thought young guys such as these would have mixed the gassers with more contemporary numbers and perhaps a few originals.
I was particularly impressed with Harrison - featured extensively on Autumn Leaves. Guitarist Simpson kicked in with some gutsy solos and Kelly proved capable on both black and gold horns.
Vocalist Belinda showed some early hesitancy but, once the hare was running, she delivered.
When Sunny Gets Blue presented the lady to perfection. Accompanied only by piano, this displayed the quality of her voice - rich and rounded.
There is a tendency these days to sing Choo Choo Ch'Boogie as a slow drag - I don't know why. It's a jump tune and, whilst it was interesting first time around, I think it's time to take it right back to the track - Jack!
Having said that, mention must be made of the 6.5 shades that guitarist Simpson kicked out of it!
There was lots more but I had to leave before the end - it was a good session and, in the league they are batting in, The Lemons are Tops!
Next week - Lindsay Hannon Trio.
Lance.
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