Strictly Smokin' Big Band @ Hoochie Coochie - Dec. 28

(Review by Lance).

A mere week had passed since I last heard them but SSBB still sounded as fresh as if it was the first time!

Perhaps it was the new faces among the saxes or Paul Skerritt's vocals but whatever it was, the high standard from previous gigs was maintained.

The fact that there were a few Lindy-Hoppers gyrating also added to the atmosphere.

Skerritt set the tone with Let The Good Times Roll and roll they did! Nice Work if You Can Get it, sang Lindsay - they got it and so did she in her off the shoulder black ensemble.

Good to hear and meet up with Dave Kerridge after many years. I think the last time was when he was at college and I was flogging him Rico Royal tenor number 3's in Windows! They did the trick! James Trippett was a new name to me but he had his moments too. Leader Lamb seems to get better every time and one solo in particular really blistered. 

But, as myself and our other reviewers have remarked in the past, such is the talent in this band, either as soloists or section players, that it is unfair to single out any one individual although it would be equally unfair not to mention surprise guest Dave Black who sat in for a blast on Body and Soul. Big Hawkins/Webster sound.

This is a band!

Likewise the vocalists. Skerritt and Lindsay who did the bulk but there were also telling contributions from Belinda Voshtina and James Hedley.

Many years ago I saw the Eric Delaney Band at Newcastle City Hall and such was the excitement generated during their version of Jumping at the Woodside that a girl standing in front of me fainted!

I'm told this also happened tonight and although I didn't witness it I could well believe it - there was so much adrenalin being pumped out both on and off stage a St. John's Ambulance squad should have been on standby!

Warren was smiling...
Photos.
Lance.
Michael Lamb (md/tpt/flug); Pete Tanton, Gordon Marshall, Dick Stacey (tpt/flug); Matt Ferris, Kieran Parnaby, Mr John Flood, Michael Fletcher (tmb); Keith Robinson, Steve Summers, Dave Kerridge, James Trippett, Laurie Rangecroft (saxes etc); Graham Don (pno); Pawel Jedrzejewski (gtr); Michael Whent (bs); Guy Swinton (dms); Paul Skerritt, Lindsay Hannon, Belinda Voshtina, James Hedley (vcls) + Dave Black (ten).