Dani Sicari (vocals); Tom Sharp (trumpet, vocals); Jamie Stockbridge (tenor sax, clarinet, clarinet); James Girling (guitar, banjolele, kazoo, vocals); Anna Chandler-King (double bass); Matt Brown (drums, washboard, vocals)
The Easy Rollers go out as a seven piece, however, an ailing Alex Hill determined the Drop Me Off in Harlem show here at Prohibition Bar would be performed as a piano-less sextet. And 'show' it was, make that a 'revue'. The band, fronted by vocalist Dani Sicari, presented a non-stop, entertaining set of tunes drawn from across the twenties and thirties, effectively, either side of 'Prohibition'. How appropriate, being in Prohibition Bar and all that!
Period dress, authentic or otherwise, was all part of a choreographed show, the boys in the band providing the backing vocals (occasionally leading) and, if the response from the sold out audience is anything to go, it all went down a storm. Fascinating Rhythm, a hint of Maple Leaf Rag, Mean to Me, 'S Wonderful, the Easy Rollers were making new friends here on Pink Lane.
Tom Sharp's growling trumpet intro to Basin Street Blues signalled the start to the second set, a set which would mix it up, far from chronological, but did anyone care? Nope! James Girling blew kazoo on Never Swat a Fly, Jamie Stockbridge's booting tenor featured on Lulu's Back in Town, Happy Feet epitomised the band's 'feel good' approach, as far as Prohibition Bar's patrons were concerned, this was as it should be. And before we knew it Sicari was telling the cab driver to Drop Me Off in Harlem. Boarding the A Train, the Easy Rollers said their farewells. They'll be back, you can bet your bottom dollar. Russell
No comments :
Post a Comment