4B @ The Exchange -Feb. 26

Bernie Ranson (saxes, vocals and  violin); Jude Murphy (double bass, vocals); Barbara Wilcox (keys, vocals); Alan Wann (drums).

4B play a regular Sunday afternoon gig at The Exchange in North Shields.  It seemed a bit optimistic to expect a sizeable crowd today when Newcastle were playing in the Caraboa Cup Final at Wembley. However, against all the odds, not only did the Sunday regulars turn up but a contingent of new faces looking, no doubt, for a football free zone. The band, relieved not to be playing to an empty room, brought their 'A' game to the proceedings and in doing so collected a whole new following. Two hours of “Blues, Bossas  and a bit of Be-bop” (as advertised) flew by, well received by fans old and new.

This quartet is nothing if not versatile. As well as instrumentals,  vocals were sung individually, in two part harmonies, three part harmonies, in French, in Portuguese and with some fine scatting from Ms. Murphy.  The material covered everything from Great American Songbook standards to country waltzes to down and dirty blues.

Now into their second year of residency at The Exchange this quartet know how to work a room and work it they did. Unfortunately, not everyone in the local pubs were going home as happy as those leaving The Exchange this evening. Sylvia

The set list included: Desafinado; Beatrice; Frim-Fram Sauce; I’m Old Fashioned; Saturday Morning; Sway; My Favorite Things; Footprints; On the Sunny Side of the Street; Autumn Leaves; Ladybird, Tennessee Waltz;  Some Cats Know;  Stella by Starlight; Bésame Mucho; Song for my Father; Alone Together; Yardbird Suite.