Michael Lamb (MD), Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey (tpts); Mark Ferris, Kieran Parnaby, Michael Fletcher, Matthew Fletcher, Robert "Pez" Perry (tmb); Steve Summers, Keith Robinson, Paul Gowland, Jamie Toms, Laurie Rangecroft (reeds); Chris Harrison (pno); Bradley Johnston (gtr); Michael Whent (bs); Guy Swinton (dms).
(Review by Lance).
In the upper room, the disciples of the SSBB numbered many more than the traditional twelve. The gospel had been preached even unto Cullercoats from whence many travelled overland to worship and drink goblets of Real Ale.
It was well worth the journey to the promised land for yea verily this nomadic band of musical vagabonds were in fine form.
Lester Leaps In, Long Ago and Far Away, Blues Machine, Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue, Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, Fat Cat, Frankie and Johnny and a Trombone Guy, Sweet Georgia Brown and Hayburner made up the first set and it was a killer!
I'm currently reading books on Woody Herman and Stan Kenton. I don't normally, simultaneously, read two books but one fits into my pocket and one doesn't. This, of course, means at times I think Kenton had Four Brothers and Woody had three wives and a son called Lance. I digress. The reason I mention this is because the chap sitting next to me compared the band to Kenton and indeed the SSBB are comparable with many name bands of the past and, I'm sure, of the future.
The second set hit the ground running with Ellington's Skindeep and Do Nothing Till You Here From Me, Mulligan's (Gerry) Red Door, the Buddy Rich version of Norwegian Wood, Number 180 (AKA?). a request for Body and Soul, One Note at a Time and a "Wonderful" version of Isn't She Lovely?
Trumpet solos from the depleted section were by leader Lamb, trombone solos from the augmented section were by Parnaby and all the saxes had their say to a greater or lesser degree.
New pianist Harrison fitted in well and guitarist Johnston excelled rhythm-wise and in solo on Fat Cat.
Michael Whent kept it rooted and drummer Swinton, acoustically caged behind glass panels played with humour and announced sympathetically - whoops! wrong way round!
They're here on the last Thursday of each month but, come early - a seventeen piece band doesn't leave many seats for sitting on!
Also, catch them August 16 at the Tyne Bar down on the waterfront.
Lance.
Thanks very much Lance. Enjoyed the 'ye olde' slant on this one!
ReplyDeleteJust to confirm trombones were Michael and Matthew Fletcher, and A. N. Other is the one and only Robert 'Pez' Perry! Also Laurie Rangecroft, not Larry!
Hopefully catch you on 16th Aug at The Tyne Bar!
Thanks Michael - corrections made.
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