 |
| (© Pam) |
I remember, back in the early 1970s, hearing Frank Ricotti at a pub in Cruddas Park which was, in those days, Newcastle's equivalent of Hell's Kitchen (I've since heard the area has been gentrified).
The music was excellent and, as a bonus, my car still had most of its wheels.
Today, this devotion to duty was again tested to the limit albeit in, theoretically, more promising surrounds. However, Beelzebub - who had provided the central heating in Cruddas Park - didn't inspire the man upstairs to do likewise in the pastures green of St James' & St Basil's church in Fenham.
 |
| (© Pam) |
No way! Not with Swing Manouche's solid defence and formidable attack.
Swing Manouche, like the other Hot Club variants, have hit on a formula that gets the feet tapping. The use of clarinet as opposed to violin gives an alternative sound and Martin Winning's solos with this band are nothing less than first class.
Leader Shoulder, more often heard playing bass in more modern settings, proved to be equally adept and some of the heads when clarinet and guitar play in unison are really impressive.
Dave Smith played rhythm as if he was to the caravan born whilst Paul Grainger was, well, Paul Grainger - a man for all seasons.
The repertoire comprised a varied selection of originals and standards including: The Anniversary Song; Djangology; Coquette; Minor Swing; All of Me; Yellow Cab; Sinister Swing; I'll See You in my Dreams & Dark Eyes. There were, of course, several others but the wind which took my hat away, frequently took Mick's announcements away with it.
Still it was a good gig and, as it didn't rain, I guess good triumphed over evil after all - Lance
No comments :
Post a Comment