Herbie Hudson (trombone, harmonica, vocals); Ray Harley (trumpet); Jim McBriarty (clarinet, alto sax, vocals); Jimmy Cassidy (piano); John Hedley (bass guitar); Ian Hetherington (drums)
it was like old times - two gigs in a day! A lunchtime session with the Vieux Carré down at Holystone then this evening over in Sunniside the Maine Street Jazzmen were back in business. Encouragingly, at least as many, if not more, of the Maine Street's regular following turned out to hear the band for the first time in five months.
Sunniside Social Club's committee insisted, rightly, that Herbie Hudson and the boys practice the art of social distancing by setting up on the club's purpose built stage rather than the usual arrangement which would see the band playing on the floor alongside the audience. The set list, drawn from HH's hefty pad of tunes, comprised a string of old favourites - Maggie, China Boy, Mama's Gone, Goodbye and more.
The Maine Street's front line - Hudson, Ray Harley and Jim McBriarty - met up a week or two ago at the Vieux Carré's gig and managed to have a blow on a couple of numbers. It was as if they'd never been away.
On the Sunny Side (Sunniside) of the Street could/should be the band's signature tune, encapsulating as it does Hudson's on stage, up beat demeanour and, of course, the venue's location (NE16 5NA, Borough of Gateshead). The interval: raffle (sold a pup), another Abbot Ale (not too bad at all) and a chat with John Hedley.
Second set, more of the same good time jazz. Trumpeter Ray Harley leading the line, blowing just great, Mr McBriarty (clarinet, alto sax, vocals) showing no signs of flagging on this, his second gig of the day, and band leader Hudson as energetic as ever (trombone, harmonica, vocals). The rhythm section, of the 'been-round-the block' variety, steered a steady course as HH called one familar number after another.
Fidgety Feet, Oh, You Beautiful Doll, a second rendition of the day for Angry (vocalist McBriarty wasn't too angry, nor the tune's requester, it was simply good fun) and, perhaps the number of the night, Hudson singing, with due respect, Black and Blue.
Sunniside is hardly an outpost, nevertheless it was good to see people making the effort to get along to a semi-rural location. One or two members of the band travelled a distance (80 miles round trip for one of them), they were there to play some jazz. Long may they continue.
Russell
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