Pilgrim St. Set @ Hoochie Coochie - May 14.

Richard Burns (tpt); Gary Turner (ten); Paul Edis (keys); Paul Susans (bs); Rob Walker (dms).

(Review by Lance).

It was during the soundcheck that 'roo trumpet player Richard and owner Warren exchanged comments.

"We could put a mic on the drums" said Richard.

Warren's reply was straight out of Ladies Home Journal (not!) 

Fortunately, at the time, Hoochie had only as many bums on seats as the Green Party - i.e. mine!

However, by the time they hit the deck running, the Lib Dems had been overtaken and the SNP was in sight!

Rob is arguably the best drummer on Tyneside and, unarguably, the loudest! Richard, found this out after stuffing a Harmon (trumpet mute) into the bell for the opening number - great drum solo.

Gary fought fire with fire and soon Rob was the one struggling to be heard!

However, come the second number, the Harmon was relegated to the back bench, the balance sorted and it was game on!

This was a Gary original that was, maybe, called Amarillo, Armadillo or I'm a Gorilla depending on how well you speak Australian. What's in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name etc...

As befits the composer of the tune Gary batted first - if Kevin Pieterson played tenor as opposed to cricket this would have been him in full flight and selection guaranteed.

Progress, by Richard had a great Jazz Messengers feel about it and Paul Susans impressed.
By way of interest, the whole rhythm section was Triptych who play at the Lit and Phil next Friday lunchtime (May 22) and at the Gala theatre, Durham today (May 15, 1pm.).
Paul Edis' We Get Along. Paul was introduced as "our keyboard player - we used to say pianist or piano man" I like the Aussie humour and indeed the trumpet playing.
And so the evening unfolded. Each number better than the last but not as good as the next one.
Even Happy Birthday sounded good.
The Pilgrim Street Set? It should be the Frith Street Set!
Catch them again on June 11.
Lance.