New Century Ragtime Orchestra @ Kings Hall, Newcastle - Feb. 11

(© Russell)

Steve Andrews (MC, alto sax, clarinet, vocal); Jim McBriarty (alto/sop sax, clarinet, vocals); Alan Marshall, Gavin Lee (reeds); Alistair Lord, Dave Hignett (trumpet); Neville Hartley (trombone); Ed Cross (violin); Ian Wynne (piano); Phil Rutherford (tuba); Keith Stephen (guitar, banjo); Abbie Finn (drums);  Caroline (vocals) + Mark Wallace (intermission piano).

King's Hall in the heart of Newcastle University, was a new venue for the NCRO. A quite magnificent setting, the walls bedecked with portraits of key figures from the uni's past and an in tune Steinway grand piano. The portents looked good.

However, there was a downside. Because of the high ceiling which wouldn't have been out of place in the Sistine Chapel, the acoustics left something to be desired which meant the balance wasn't as good as it normally is with this band and, more importantly, the punchlines to Steve Andrews' humourous introductions sometimes disappeared into the ether. Also, with the absence of a concert hall stage, it meant that unless you had a front row seat or were a member of the Harlem Globetrotters, you viewed the band through a forest of heads and shoulders.

(© Russell)

Apart from that, the music was great and the band were on form. A special mention for Abbie Finn who, with only a minimum of rehearsal, read the drum parts to perfection and Ian Wynne excelled on his piano features - A Handful of Keys and  Ragtime Nightingale. That other nightingale, Caroline, captured the feel of 'The Jazz Age' as did 'boy' vocalist McBriarty who wore a straw boater and also blew an assortment of reed instruments. Marshall and Lee swung and front man Andrews, when not giving chapter and verse to each number - all 25 of them! - made occasional contributions on alto and clarinet as well as adding his vocal chords to Because My Baby Don’t Mean Maybe Now. 

(© Russell)

Lord played lead, Hignett took the solos and Hartley had some effective trombone moments. Cross fiddled and Rutherford tamed the tuba as well as dimming the lights and handing out raffle prizes. 

During the interval whilst most were at the bar ordering bathtub booze, Mark Wallace played mighty fine piano. Hope to hear him again sometime.

A most enjoyable evening. Lance 

Zulu Wail; Sunburst Rag: Guilty; Oh Gee Georgie; A Blues Serenade; A Handful of Keys; Sweeping The Clouds Away; The Yale Blues; A Precious Little Thing Called Love;  Just An Hour Of Love; Swamp Fire; Variety Stomp; Palestina; Ain’t That A Grand And Glorious Feeling; Get Out And Get Under The Moon; You’d Be Surprised; Ragtime Nightingale; If Could Be With You One Hour Tonight; J’attendrai; Because My Baby Don’t Mean Maybe Now; Marbles; I’ll See You In My Dreams; Goodbye Blues.