Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Tyne Bar

Michael Lamb, Tom Hill,; Gordon Marshall, Pete Tanton (tpts); Don Fairley, Peter Morgan, ? (tmb);  Steve Summers, Nadiah Killick (alt); Paul Gowland, Jamie Toms (ten); Laurie Rangecroft (bar); ? (pno); Ed Carr (gtr); Michael Want (bs); Guy Swinton (dms); Lindsay Hannon (vcl).

(Review by Lance).

The last time I stood in the rain listening to a big band was in San Sebastian in 1973. It was the Clark Terry Big Band. Sitting in front of me was Hugues Panassie the famous French jazz critic. He was comfortably ensconced under a golf sized umbrella - he didn't invite me to join him! I didn't care, the music drowned out the rain if you'll pardon that silly statement!

It was the same today - if it had been cricket when the heavens opened - players would have raced to the pavilion but Jazz musicians are made of sturdier stuff. Perhaps God really does think that jazz is the devils music?If this is the case then I'm afraid to say that, with a cagoule, an umbrella, and a pair of ears, the Devil won the day.

Strictly Smokin' really is a cracking band and to their credit they played as if it were a sunny, summer's day.

In a band like this packed with soloists it would be churlish to mention individuals but, being a churl, descended from a long line of churls, I must praise Pete Tanton's trumpet solos. Americans, somehow just have that edge to their playing. Perhaps it's the accent merging with the music that makes it so distinctively jazzy.

Leader Lamb's playing has developed  immensely over the years and he can hold his own in any section as either soloist or team leader. Don Fairly has been in enough big bands over the years to handle whatever comes along. Those saxes! Steve Summers, Paul Gowland, Jamie Toms and the lovely alto lady Nadiah certainly did the biz with Laurie providing the depth to the section.

Michael Lamb gave me the name of the keyboard player which, unfortunately was lost. midst the products of Wylam Breweries.

And on guitar Edd Carr! How great to again meet up with and hear Edd, who's taking a brief break from cruising the seven seas. He may have put on a pound or two but his playing has come on a ton!

Swinton on drums - why don't we hear more of him? Great to hear the Ellington/Bellson feature, Skindeep, again after many many years. Guy did it proud as indeed did the sections interpreting those tricky parts.

Lindsay Hannon sang superbly despite some early volume problems. The gal's  tops in my books and when the amplification was sorted on Too Darn Hot we just wished the weather was the same - in fact we wanted the Orange Coloured Sky that Lindsay sang about earlier!.

Smokin' or Customs House? Basie or Ellington? Newcastle or Sunderland? Who cares? let's just be thankful we have these choices to make.

Lance.