Keith Stephen (guitar), Roly Veitch (guitar &
vocals), Bruce Rollo (double bass) & Caroline Irwin (vocals & ukulele)
(Review by Russell).
Friends of Blaydon Jazz Club for many a year, Keith
Stephen’s Hot Club Trio made a welcome return to the Black Bull. Club regulars
made the effort on a surprisingly mild evening for the time of year. The
undemonstrative Stephen spoke reluctantly. Caroline Irwin – his other half –
cajoled him into making announcements, which he duly did. An unsung guitarist
and fine exponent of the Hot Club idiom, Stephen led his trio through two sets
of classic material with several vocal numbers from the ‘lovely Caroline’.
Coquette opened the show. Caroline Irwin joined the
boys to sing four numbers; Exactly Like
You, Dream a Little Dream, Goody Goody and I’m Confessin’. Ms Irwin is an entertainer. She sings well and you
get a performance. Flirtatious, Gatsby-era theatricality enlivens the show with
the trio’s musicianship clearly evident to those with eyes and ears – a sensory
delight.
Rhythm king Roly Veitch took the occasional vocal, the
first of the evening being All of Me
in typical relaxed fashion. The saucy Ms Irwin did much hoofin’ around on Let’s Talk Dirty in Hawaiian. With
ukulele in hand the lyrics passed/passed by the censors, the only thing missing
was an Aloha-style garland of flowers!
The undoubted first set highlight was a tremendous
take on Limehouse Blues; a Stephen’s
solo followed by an energetic contribution from slap bass maestro Bruce Rollo
had Black Bull patrons imagining they were in a dimly lit pre-war Parisian
night club. Django lives! At its conclusion Stephen enquired: Silly tempo, who set up that one? The
culprit lurked in the shadows…one Mr R. Veitch. Hand wringing stuff!
Django’s Swing
’42 resumed hostilities. Irwin intervened with I Can’t Give You Anything But Love, Baby and later on Veitch atoned
with a well tempered vocal on Shine.
Ms Irwin sang some numbers in French – La
Vie en Rose being a fine example of her craft. A good evening’s
entertainment concluded with an exhausting Running
Wild. Athlete Irwin went for it, running on the spot, running wild.
December at Blaydon Jazz Club features not one but two
sessions. Sunday 6th is an extra date presenting the New Century Ragtime
Orchestra. The ensemble, perhaps unique in its presentation of the syncopated
sounds predating the classic jazz era, will delight its many followers and
those hearing the band for the first time will become instant fans. The week
before Christmas – Sunday 20th – is party time. The BB Trio with guest Dr James
Birkett will provide the musical entertainment and, by tradition, audience
members take along an appetising culinary contribution. Savouries and sweets (many
home made), always make for a feast sufficient to feed the five thousand.
Russell.
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