Pete Horsfall (tpt/vcl); Malcolm Earle-Smith (tmb/vcl); Ewan Bleach (alt/clt); Martin Wheatley (gtr); Colin Good (pno).
(Review/ Photos by Lance).
The Trans-Pennine train took 29 minutes to reach Darlington. In the carriage, which resembled a sardine tin, 40 or so revelers intent on laying siege to York were already on their third lager as us sober ones alighted - York, you have been warned!
Inside the St. Augustine's Centre, home of Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club, sanity prevailed as the Basin Street Brawlers took to the stage.
No doubt in deference to their hosts, the Brawlers stomped off with High Society complete with the obligatory Picou clarinet solo. However, this is more than a New Orleans style trad band even though some of the numbers did relate to the turn of the century Crescent City - Winin' Boy Blues and Milenburg Joys being prime examples.
Methinks, though, their true forte is the 1930's Harlem jump bands typified by those led by Henry 'Red' Allen. Indeed, at times, Horsfall's trumpet solos could have been by the great man. Bleach blew period alto in the manner of Pete Brown or Charlie Holmes and brought Albert Nicholas to mind on clarinet whilst Earle-Smith was Jack to a T(eagarden) and Martin Wheatley? Well, Eddie Lang, Carl Kress, George Barnes? you name it!
Colin Good did the business on keys and, with Wheatley aiding and abetting, it was three numbers in before I realised there wasn't a drummer or a bass player - that's how solid they were!
High Society; Cocktails For Two; Crazy Rhythm; Tight Like That (vocal by Horsfall and the title track of their last CD); If Dreams Come True (Horsfall , vocal); Petite Fleur (Bleach featured); Truckin' (my first set fave); Winin' Boy Blues (vocal PH); Milenburg Joys; Fidgety Feet.
Wow! A good set and worth taking the D Train.
Nice to meet the club organisers, whom I knew from email, to renew acquaintance with Diane Young, chat with Pete Horsfall and, as the fates decreed, to win a bottle of Cotes du Rhône in the raffle so, if the typos start appearing, blame it on Les French. The bottle label suggested that I "Drink on release or allow to mature for a year or two". I opted for the former...
Back on stage the Brawlers gave us: When I Grow Too Old to Dream; That's a Plenty; a couple of vocals from Earle-Smith - If I Could be With You One Hour Tonight and Fats Waller's Ain'tcha Glad. Jazz me Blues and The Lamp is Low were next. Most knew The Lamp is Low was based on a composition by Ravel, some recalled the Chet Baker version but, the burning question was, who stole it from Maurice (Ravel)?
Peter de Rose.
Rose had form in the songwriting stakes (Somebody Loves me; Deep Purple; On a Little Street in Singapore and Bueno Sera among others) so it's not surprising he did a job on The Lamp is Low - as did Horsfall.
Peter de Rose.
Rose had form in the songwriting stakes (Somebody Loves me; Deep Purple; On a Little Street in Singapore and Bueno Sera among others) so it's not surprising he did a job on The Lamp is Low - as did Horsfall.
China Boy; If We Never Meet Again and Swing that Music brought a memorable session to a close.
They're on at Boston Spa tonight so, if you hurry, you might catch a couple of numbers.
Great band and, St. Augustine's is a great venue - now where did I put that corkscrew?
Lance.
Thanks Lance, great to meet you at last and an accurate review of a fantastic day with these quality musicians.
ReplyDeleteHope to see you again and who knows you may win the white next time
Best regards
Ray Sams
Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club
www.darlingtonjazz.co.uk
yes, they all arrived in York as you predicted,or so it seemed !!
ReplyDeleteOh yes - a fantastic band indeed - and what a great repertoire! Every player the tops too ..... and how cool they looked in their suits. Not quite Reservoir Dogs, but very stylish! Classy jazz - hot and tight, just the way I like it! The Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club certainly books a great variety of bands - and is certainly bold enough to make eclectic choices.
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