Red Hot Rhythm Makers @ the Prohibition Bar - April 1

Ali Affleck (washboard, vocals); Alex Stewart (trombone, vocals); Sarah Findlay (trumpet, flugel, vocals); Kassandra E'Silva (clarinet, tenor sax, vocals); Danielle Price (tuba, vocals); Ali Tod (guitar, banjo, vocals) 

(Review by Lance).

Another stompingly good Monday night at the Pro Bar. A couple of weeks back the Tenement Jazz Band came down from Edinburgh and laid waste to the English trad scene. Last night, their female counterparts crossed Hadrian's Wall and also kicked some Sassanach asses.

Mind you, unlike the Tenement clan, the Red Hot Rhythm Makers didn't grab me straight from the off. Bourbon St. Parade had some intonation problems and didn't really do the business. However, from then on things just got better and better and better! Onward and upwards most definitely the case as the vocals took over. All the girls chipped in at various times with washboarder Ali Affleck handling the majority including Lovin' Sam From Alabam; Everybody Loves my Baby; Root, Hog, and Die; Careless Love and a blues the title of which escaped me but it began with I woke up this morning...

Ali Tod, apart from playing banjo and guitar was featured on All of Me taken much slower than is the norm. As Ms. Affleck pointed out it really is a very sad song. The set closed with There'll be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight which also coincided with the first swing-dancing couple taking to the floor.

Act Two began with The Charleston which was simply terrific the Buck Dance and the Wing Dance are certainly now back numbers - keep playing girls, Al Capone is at the bar. My mistake - it's John Taylor from Ashington!

Another showstopper was Shake it to the East, Shake it to the West which the girls duly did although, geographically speaking it was incorrect. 

And so it went on. Exactly Like You; What's the Matter With the Mill?; Jack I'm Mellow; On the Sunnyside of the Street; I Ain't Gonna Give you None of my Jelly Roll; They're Red Hot and You Gotta Give me Some. All fine singers and players with Danielle Price outstanding on tuba - quite an amazing technique.

Another memorable night!

Lance.