
(Review by Russell)
The Barnharts have been up and down the motorways on the first of their two extensive annual tours, Spats Langham has been busy crisscrossing Europe and Graham Smith has been putting the finishing touches to this year's Pershore Jazz Festival. Busy though they are the four friends made time to play a few Sweet and Hot gigs with Darlington's St Augustine's Parish Centre a favourite on the itinerary.
Once again the larger-than-life Jeff Barnhart found time to say hello to everyone - a not inconsiderable number! - including a visit to the kitchen as staff were taking dozens of orders for teas and coffees. Soundcheck complete, Jeff and his other half Anne were joined by Spats Langham and Graham Smith to open the first of two sets with Everbody Loves My Baby. Typically upbeat, just the sort of start one would expect. More staples followed - Blue Skies, Pineapple Rag, Black and White Rag (think Pot Black, BBC 2), Rubber Plant Rag (it would become better known as The Coffee Grinder), yes, the punters got what they wanted and more...

Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club's many loyal supporters certainly got a varied bill of fayre which, for your BSH correspondent, wasn't bettered all afternoon by Spats Langham singing Brownie McGhee's Born with the Blues. Spats with his trusty, battered six-string acoustic guitar and voice - truly memorable.
Russell
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