(Review by Lance).
The sun was shining, the breeze little more than a cooling zephyr, the products of Wylam Brewery were being consumed so enthusiastically that a queue stretching almost to the banks of the Ouseburn was formed.
On stage, the Strictly Smokin' Little Big Soul Band (their chosen name for today according to the set list) were warming up for this, their fourth annual gig in this pleasant outdoor venue, and possibly the first where they elements haven't prevailed.
Michael Lamb gave the down beat and F'reez made an impassioned vocal plea to Let the Good Times Roll and roll they did! The band were in cracking form behind the vocals and Freez himself was on a roll following up with the Stevie Wonder arrangement of Sir Duke. Lindsay enchanted us, as ever, with That Old Black Magic which had me in her spell before getting her kicks on Route 66.
A Kentonian arrangement of A Foggy Day preceded Lindsay's return for Makin' Whoopee. Down front and on the road the dancers too were makin' whoopee - Lindyhopping, foxtrotting and just generally shaking it about.
A world - well Newcastle - premier of Chris Walden's Film Noir Suite was evocative of just about any noir film you've ever seen and this was but Part One of Three. We eagerly await the rest. Keiran Parnaby's soulful trombone solo stood out here as did a biting alto solo from Dave Kerridge.
Time to rejoin the queue at the bar which, by this time had stretched almost to Gateshead (exaggeration!) Also nice to meet Bob and Sally.
You Snooze You Loose kicked off round two with a bare knuckle slugfest 'twixt Summers and Kerridge who locked horns in a bout that went the distance - honours even. More Parnaby in Frankie, Johnny and a Trombone Guy. F'reez returned for The Way You Look Tonight and Lindsay was Beginning to See the Light. There was more, too much more to list all the highlights but one that did deserve special mention was Sax Alley. Summers switched to tenor for a joust with Toms and Gowland. If you thought the earlier alto workout was something this was the Thriller in Manilla and the Rumble in the Jungle combined.
Breathtaking.
Special mention of Colin Haikney depping on piano, he did the business, as he invariably does, whilst leader Lamb and section mate Tanton had some cracking solos.
Oh yes and guitar bass and drums were right on the money, the latter enhancing his presence with his wry announcements.
As Stan Kenton shouted at the end of his recording of Prologue - "This is an orchestra!"
And so is this!
Catch them again at Hoochie on Sept. 20.
Lance.
Photos.
Michael Lamb (tpt/md); Dave Holman, Dick Stacey, Pete Tanton, Gordon Marshall (tpt); Keiran Parnaby, Mark Ferris, John Day, David Gray (tmb); Steve Summers (alt/ten/sop), Dave Kerridge (alt); Paul Gowland, Jamie Toms (ten); Laurie Rangecroft (bar); Colin Haikney (pno); Pawel Jedrejewski (gtr); Michael Whent (bs); Guy Swinton (dms/compere); Lindsay Hannon, F'reez (vcls).
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