Colin Dawson tpt, Dave Rae bjo & vcl, Liz
Bacon - clt, Paul Bacon - dms, Jim Blenkin - tmb, John Robinson - db bs, Mac
Rae – clt/ dms/ vcl.
(Review by Ray Robson)
The Levee Ramblers rose from the ashes
of the "Rae Brothers N.O. Band", with virtually the same line up bar
Mick Hill or guest trumpeters taking Mac’s original role. The Springwell weekly
set has been going some time now, though we have personally only
"discovered" it since the sad demise of "Jazz at the Fell".
Tonight was quite a special event, with
not only the appearance on guest trumpet of Colin Dawson, but with a "one
man band" virtuoso sit in from Mac Rae taking in first clarinet then later
drums & vocals!
Colin is an International Jazz
Trumpeter, these days still based in Germany, but proud of his roots &
obviously quite happy to sit in with friends at a small venue, probably a nice
relaxing evening for him too.
The first two numbers flew by while we
appreciated quite what a musical feast we faced ...Careless Love then
Mac subbed on clarinet with both he & Colin giving an excellent lead on Mahogony
Hall Stomp. Mac added vocals on My Blue Heaven then Willie
the Weeper and Corrine Corrine showed us Colin's
undoubted talent & reminded us that the rest of the band were pretty good
too! Louis Armstrong's Shine took us to the interval where we
tried to catch our breath & replenish our glasses. Royal Garden
Blues kicked off the second half, with Punch Miller's Long
Distance Blues keeping the pace swinging along. A quick break in the
music, as we enjoyed the recital skills of Ken & laughed at his satnav
exploits ....great verse & humour. Another tactical team change ....Mac
moving to drums with Liz recalled at clarinet & Paul sitting out ....Over
in the Gloryland echoed round the hall with Mac’s vocals, then we took
the Canal Street Blues and a Sentimental Journey to
a rousing finale with It’s My Party.
Sometimes good nights just sneak up on
you ....& this was one of them ....the Levee Ramblers will always entertain
you, but the addition of such a classy trumpet player & the welcome albeit
temporary return of the prodigal Mac I felt really gave the packed Hall a first
class night of New Orleans Jazz ...well done to all of you players.
Ray
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