Smokin’ Spitfires @ The Cluny - Jan 7

Neil Hunter (vocals), Steve McGarvie (alto saxophone & vocals), Alan Thompson (tenor saxophone), Terry O’Hern (trombone & vocals), Mike Hepple (Hammond organ & vocals), Bob Garrington (guitar), Ian Rigby (bass & vocals) & Gary Cain (drums)

(Review by Russell) 

The idea was that the Smokin’ Spitfires would play a one-off charity gig. That was a few years ago and now, in the first week of 2018, the band’s regular first Sunday in the month lunchtime gig goes from strength to strength having chalked up dozens of appearances and it’s still all for charity. The eight-piece band emerged phoenix-like from the embers of the legendary Eastside Torpedoes and it continues to attract a loyal following with many fans undoubtedly there from the beginning.

The Smokin’ Spitfires mine the glory years of the Atlantic and Stax record labels adding one or two of their own soul-stirring originals to the set list. Founding members of the Eastside Torpedoes Neil Hunter and Terry O’Hern are at the helm; Hunter these days sporting a geet big Santa Claus beard hasn’t lost any of his considerable vocal power, and O’Hern’s arrangements guarantee the Spitfires fire on all cylinders from note one. Jumpin’ in the Spotlight, Kissin’ in the Rain (it wasn’t, raining that is), a typically rip-roaring start. The Temptations’ Can’t Get Next to You, the Wilson Pickett chart hit 634-5789 (comp. Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper), the horns killing on Move On Up, bona fide soul classics, all with Hunter’s ‘wake the dead’ vocals. The horn players are well known on the regional jazz scene; Alan Thompson (tenor) and Steve McGarvie (alto sax) are members of the Jazztones, although McGarvie plays keyboards in the latter outfit, and, along with Terry O’Hern, are fixtures in the award-winning Durham Alumni Big Band. Playing this stuff with the Smokin’ Spitfires must be a blast!

Arthur Conley’s Sweet Soul Music heard McGarvie, O’Hern, Mike Hepple and Ian Rigby supplying  the ‘Yeah, Yeah’ backing vocals to Hunter – and the audience! – singing the tongue-twisting lyrics, and finally, Sam and Dave insisted Hold On, I’m Comin’. The Smokin’ Spitfires are great fun, never do they seem to tire of the set list, the rhythm section – Hepple on Hammond organ, bassist Rigby and drummer Gary Cain – lays down a rock steady foundation upon which Hunter, the horns, and guitarist Bob Garrington deliver the goods time and again.

Russell