Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ The Millstone, South Gosforth.

Graham Hardy (tpt); Barry Soulsby (clt/vcl); Lawrence McBriarty (tmb); Brian Bennett (bjo/vcl); Ian Heslop (bs); Paul Thompson (dms) + Ann Alex (vcl).

(Review by Lance).

Fred Thompson was at a funeral, Fred Rowe had teething troubles so reinforcements were called upon.

Graham Hardy is no stranger to the band easily adapting his more forward looking playing to suit the idiom. Paul Thompson, son of Fred, proved to be a chip off the old block behind the traps. However, neither of these two splendid chaps are strong in the vocal department so it was left to Barry Soulsby, with occasional assists from Bandleader Bennett and A.N. Other, to provide the words.

They stomped off with The Darktown Strutters Ball taken slightly more leisurely than the norm with Soulsby doing the vocal as well as laying on the liquorice. Hardy and McBriarty dug deep to make for a fine start.

Bennett sang Dinah followed by a 12 bar that the leader claimed Hardy had written on his way to the gig entitled I've Got Those Playing With the Vieux Carré Again Blues. 

The set rolled merrily along with Alexander's Ragtime Band, Roses of Picardy, Out of Nowhere and Exactly Like You. Amid it all I had a Cajun Chicken Sandwich with chips and trimmings that was almost as hot as the music.

Raffle came, Doom Bar Bitter refilled and Raffle went.

The second set got underway with My Blue Heaven which was a good way to start as outside the sun was indeed resplendent in a cloudless sky of blue. Once again the horns said their piece most eloquently. Graham Hardy, who on Sunday with Ruth Lambert was Chet Baker cool, was today Pat Halcox hot. Lawrence McBriarty slots into the ensembles with ease and emerges to solo with authority. Barry Soulsby sings, not just with his voice but with the clarinet - always telling a story.

Next up BSH woman's editor, agony aunt and reviewer Ann Alex threw that baggage away and took to the stage to chant a spirited version of All of Me - well done Ann - your salary is doubled.

Petite Fleur, I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter, an exquisite version of Blue Turning Grey Over You and Willie the Weeper led to the inevitable Goin' Home - which we did via 900 replacement metro bus and the good old 27.

Must also mention that the horns who have hogged this review couldn't have done it without the support of Ian Heslop on Bass, Paul, Son of Fred, on drums and of course the man with the banjo Brian Bennett.

Also good to say hello to Norma and Mary.

Lance.