(Review by Russell)
Musicians Unlimited’s weekly gig at the Park Inn is an institution. For several years the session at the Studio on Tower Street drew large crowds and the move along the road to the Park Inn didn’t deter the band’s faithful followers. The band’s winning formula is a simple one: a welcoming venue, the musicians on the stand are some of the best around and the pad comprises much-loved numbers.
The train journey from Newcastle to Hartlepool on this sunny Sunday morning afforded panoramic views out to sea; Tees-bound tankers lying offshore, the dark Cleveland Hills against a blue sky backdrop. The Park Inn’s split level layout sees the band set up on the upper tier, the audience seated and standing on the lower level. A choice of three or four real ales, the pick being Doom Bar, for no other reason than if it (the beer) had made the effort all the way from Rock, Cornwall, it should be sampled.
Queen Bee (arr. Sammy Nestico) opened the set with John Hudson (tenor) taking the first solo of the afternoon. MD Mick Donnelly likes to keep things moving with his one-liners buying the band a precious few seconds as they leaf through the pad looking for no. three hundred and something. I’ve Got You Under My Skin sang the fundraising Peter, the first of the day’s fearless vocalists. You know the tune – hear Jill Nelson’s baritone and a Milt Bernhart – sorry, Dave Brock, trombone blast. Excellent stuff all round! Ray Dales (alto) and Bill Watson (trumpet) had a blow on Killer Joe followed by the second of our singers keen to show what they could do. Linda sang Almost Like Being in Love. Linda appeared to believe she didn’t do so well – not a bit of it, Linda did more than alright!
That’s Life! So sang Tommy. What a performer! Singing to the back of the hall, our man projected to the cheap seats in this sold-out Carnegie Hall concert. Tommy! Tommy! It’s the Park Inn, not NYC. Let’s not spoil the illusion/delusion, this was great entertainment! The fundraising Dave, steady as you like, sang Fly Me to the Moon with Sue Ferris’ flute accompaniment as good as we’ve come to expect. Jill Nelson’s spot-on baritone matched Phil’s vocals on Witchcraft. The fabulous fundraising vocalists were troupers all.
Musicians Unlimited’s regular vocalist Mr Bob Caswell – a favourite of BSH’s big band aficionado Tony Eales – sang several numbers including Nice and Easy and I’ve Got the World on a String. Hearing Mr Caswell’s nonchalant, swinging style, it’s easy to see why Eales rates him so highly. The band went out on Sweet Georgia Brown. Next week’s one o’clock start is the last one until September. Musicians Unlimited can be heard a week on Thursday at Jackson’s Landing. This is a major fundraising gig, it’s free admission, but a donation on the night would be appreciated. Things get under way at 6:30pm with several events planned and with Musicians Unlimited on the bill, it’s sure to be a great night out!
Russell.
Mick Donnelly (MD); trumpets: Alan Catherall, Bob Temple, Kevin Eland, Bill Watson; trombones: John Day, Dave Brock, Helen Grainger, Peter Morgan; reeds: John Hudson (tenor), Sue Ferris (tenor & flute), Ray Dales (alto), Danny Allan (alto), Jill Nelson (baritone); Bryn Jones (piano), Mick Shoulder (double bass) & Ernie Jackson (drums) + Bob Caswell (vocals) + the fabulous fundraising vocalists: Linda, Dave, Peter, Phil & Tommy.
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