"Ned Kelly's Hot Shots" @ The Millstone, South Gosforth.

Colin Aitchison (tpt/vcl); Franco Valussi (clt); Barry Soulsby (clt/alt/vcl); Laurence McBriarty (tmb); Brian Bennett (bjo/vcl); Bill Colledge (bs); Fred Thompson (dms).

(Review by Lance/photos by Jeannie Aitchison).

With the majority of the band sporting Ned Kelly * tee shirts, the Vieux Carré Jazzmen became, for this week only, "Ned Kelly's Hot Shots". And "Hot Shots" they were with Valussi and Aitchison (AKA "Our Man in Hong Kong") leading the line. Italian born Valussi, resident in Hong Kong since 1995, spent much of his early working life as a successful cartoonist before 'kicking old Buddah's Gong" and settling in Hong Kong. Regrettably we didn't get to hear his tenor playing on this trip but his clarinet playing proved him to be a top class stylist with more than a hint of BG in his solos.

Colin, whom I've known for many many years, is playing superbly in the dixie/swing style so beloved of his late dad. The phrasing, the ideas, are reminiscent of Hughie's but the tone is bolder and brassier - a good place to be for a horn man. He sings, he swings, he puts on a show.

Not that this was a one man show - far from it. Barry Soulsby fluctuated between clarinet and alto and had a memorable duo blast with Franco on The Loveliest Night of the Year as well as exercising his vocal chops on standards such as Sweet Lorraine. The minute pause during the line "She's got a pair of ... eyes" was magical albeit probably unnoticed by most! 

Laurence Mac was on tailgate, filling in all the spaces, opening a few doors, telling the truth.

Bennett kept the chug factor high - so essential whether on Bourbon Street or Haddricks Mill Road on a Thursday afternoon, Colledge was basically sound and Fred Thompson kept it all together - even when singing At The Jazz Band Ball.

This band may never get a Jazz Services funded touring grant - the packed room will be pleased to know - and as long as they keep packing them in...

Lance.
* Aitchison and Valussi are resident at Ned Kelly's Last Stand in Kowloon.