Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Millstone, South Gosforth. October 25

Brian Bennett (banjo & vocals), Fred Rowe (trumpet & vocals), Barry Soulsby (clarinet & vocals), Lawrence McBriarty (trombone), Brian Sibbald (double bass) & Fred Thompson (drums & vocals) - (Review by Russell).

At the conclusion of John Law’s lunchtime performance at Newcastle University the lure of some Crescent City jazz proved too much. A short bus ride from Barras Bridge is the city of New Orleans…well, the Millstone pub in South Gosforth. The Vieux Carré’s Thursday residency has gone from night time to day time and best of all the session is now in the downstairs lounge. A pint of Mordue’s Five Bridges (‘a bit lively, this one’ said the barman), a place at the bar, it would be good to say the joint was jumpin’. In truth it could have done with a few more in.

I Double Dare You, On the Sunny Side of the Street, Willie the Weeper (dedicated to Lance – Lance Armstrong that is) and Twelfth Street Rag were the tunes rattled off in the closing half hour your reviewer managed to catch. Good trumpet from Fred Rowe, Lawrence McBriarty (trombone) knocked out a couple of good solos (as always), Barry Soulsby’s clarinet solos flowed like amber nectar, Fred Thompson sang (a compliment!) and played the drums and bassist Brian Sibbald did his stuff with the minimum of fuss. Band leader Brian Bennett closed another Vieux Carré session with Goin’ Home. Give the gig a try – every Thursday from 1.00 pm. The Millstone is near to South Gosforth Metro station and  buses (no.55 or X6) from Haymarket drop you off at the door (if not Harlem). Good beer and good jazz – what more could you ask for?

Russell

PS: Tonight at The Millstone The Strictly Smokin’ Big Band begin the first of their “Last Thursday” in the month sessions having moved from The Punchbowl.