Not Now Charlie + Saxophonics @ The Jazz Café. February 12

Not Now Charlie: Jamie Toms (tenor saxophone), Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar), Richard Campbell (keyboards), Liam Gaughan (bass) & Dave McKeague (drums)

(Review by Russell/Photo courtesy of Pam Young)

Jazz Café next stop said Thomas the Tank Engine. Large numbers alighted at Pink Lane, Charlie was ready and waiting, although there was no sign of Uncle Oswald. Jazz Sound Records set up shop in the upstairs room of the Jazz Café to record a gig. Tickets issued, all seats taken, off we go…

Five piece Not Now Charlie built up a head of steam. Riff, hook, reggae, rock steady, go. The new ‘product’ available at the door, it made sense to play the stuff! Band tight, tenor man Jamie Toms leading from the front. 

Tunes from the new CD – Hadath, Russian Girl, Where Do You Go To? – impressed, so too older numbers – Quizzical (the band’s first hit, well, first ever tune!) and MCT. Pawel Jedrzejewski cranked it up, Richard Campbell did the business and the rhythm boys – Liam Gaughan (four and six string basses) and Dave McKeague – knew what they were doing. Pop time, swing time, good time.

Earlier, Thomas’ friends Keith, Steve, Alan and Niall got up to play. Their absent friend – Graeme Wilson – wasn’t forgotten, they started with Dam Fino (comp. G. Wilson). As and when your correspondent appears on Desert Island Discs this tune will be one of the eight! In the absence of its composer the quartet did him proud. Come Fly with Me (what a tune, real GAS book!), another Wilson number, the wonderfully weary Stranded at the Wine Bar, then to close, some serious Bird – Relaxin’ at Camarillo.

Special mention of new recruit Alan Marshall. He played as if he’d been in the band from day one. Time to board the last train from Pink Lane…choo! choo!
Saxophonics: Keith Robinson (alto), Steve Summers (alto & soprano), Alan Marshall (tenor) & Niall Armstrong (baritone)

Russell.