Vieux Carre Hot 4 @ Spanish City - September 6

Jim McBriarty (clarinet, soprano sax, vocals); Brian Bennett (banjo); Paul Grainger (double bass); Fred Thompson (drums, vocals) 

The Vieux Carre Hot 4 returned to Spanish City almost exactly six months to the day before lockdown brought about an abrupt halt to live performance. A becalmed North Sea encouraged locals and visitors alike to promenade along the front, stopping off at one of numerous ice cream parlours or calling in at Spanish City to sit with a coffee or something a little stronger to listen to Brian Bennett's outfit.

I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Walking My Baby Back Home, When You're Smiling, a typically sound start to the Hot 4's Sunday afternoon residency. Vocal duties, as always, were shared between Jim McBriarty and Fred Thompson with Messrs Bennett (banjo) and Grainger (string bass) at the tiller. 

Creole Jazz proved to be a highlight of the first set in Valerie's Tearoom which concluded with Fred Thompson taking the vocal on Tin Roof Blues.   

   

From coffees, teas and cake to a second set in Trencher's Restaurant with groaning plates of fish and chips under the impressive dome high above. My Honey's Lovin' Arms from 1922 featured McBriarty's vocal, drummer Thompson sang New Orleans and from the early days of the Paul Whiteman Orchestra, Linger Awhile (McBriarty vocals). Covid-19 guidelines determined the band couldn't play on the ground floor, instead the four piece - including depping bassist Paul Grainger - took to the first floor balcony overlooking the many diners below tucking into their cod and chips. 

Clarence Williams, Kid Ory and others from the 20s formed the basis of the third and final set up in the Champagne Bar. Dreaming the Hours Away, 1919 Rag, Memories of You (McBriarty's excellent clarinet), My Gal Sal (Thompson singing) were but four numbers to accompany a pint of Spanish City (Whitley Bay Brewing Co.). As the day brightened - blue skies! - the Vieux Carre Hot 4 concluded today's three-setter with Mary Wore a Golden Chain (McBriarty in spiritual mode) and Ace in the Hole (Thompson, vocals).  

Russell