(Review by Ray)
Time for our monthly Darlington Jazz
trip, today's artistes the 12 strong version of the NCRO - sadly lacking the
vocals of Caroline through illness, but with Emma Fisk ably providing the
beauty to complement the guys all smartly attired in Dinner Jackets & bow
ties.
Having heard the newly released CD
"Singing in the Bathtub", which is an excellent buy, we were keen to
sample the live version again - NCRO are always hugely entertaining, playing
1920's & 1930's hot dance & swing jazz in authentic arrangements which
have your feet tapping away. I'm not aware of any other band that plays in this
style, so we are privileged to have them based here in the North East & to
be able to enjoy their talents several times a year.
The inimitable Steve Andrews as ever
led the band, his patter reminiscent of Leonard Sachs on the "Good Old
Days" TV hit show that ran from 1953 to 1983, his wit greatly appreciated
by an attentive packed room, the groans rising in unison at each corny joke or
comment but the smiles revealing the pleasure he gave us all.
To the music ...Sweet Jenny Lee set
the tone, with an excellent Reindeer Rag reminding us
Christmas was but 265 days away ...with the onset of Easter Eggs in stockings it’s
easy to get confused! A Duke Ellington number next - The Black &
Tan Fantasy followed by the ballad Guilty then back
up tempo with Rent Party Blues. Jim serenaded us on That's
my Weakness Now, then East St Louis Toodle Oo and Get
Out & Get Under the Moon led us to the final number of the first
set with Nagasaki.
Second set began with a King Oliver
number Too Bad before Jim donned Fez & gave us Palestrina to
applause. The 1928 Chocolate Dandies Padukah featured Gavin
Lee on clarinet, then Jim back on vocals in Everybody Loves my Girl. Another
Duke Ellington number The Mooche saw the trumpet players
excel, with I'd Rather be Blue Thinking of You taking us
to the raffle & interval two.
An Easter Egg prize put a smile on my
good lady’s lips, so all was well as a Jimmy Noone number Chicago
Rhythm kicked on into King Oliver's 1923 hit Chatanooga
Stomp. We felt a little blue with Blue Minor then I'm
Dancing with Tears in my Eyes, then Emma & Keith combined
with a melodic duo as Joe Venutti & Eddie Lang with Sunshine before Business
in F and I'll See you in my Dreams gave way to the
final number of Limehouse Blues.
All in all another fine afternoon at
Darlington, & another packed house illustrated the growing recognition of
the excellent Jazz they provide monthly.
Next up Sat 2 May is Jeff Barnhart
& John Hallam with Keith Stephen & Bruce Rollo ....that should be
another treat !
Ray
Graham Hardy, Alistair Lord (tpts); Neville Hartley (tmb); Jim McBriarty, Alan Marshall, Gavin Lee (reeds), Steve Andrews (compere/ ten sax); Emma Fisk (vln); Colin Haikney (pno); Keith Stephens (bjo/gtr); Phil Rutherford (sousa); Steve Doyle (dms).
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