 |
| © Sylvia |
The room was rammed. John West couldn't have squeezed any more in. It's always like this when the House of the Black Gardenia meet up with the swing dance fraternity. Inhibitions disappear. The dancers dance, the drinkers drink and the flirtatious flirt. I glanced enviously at a couple at the bar who seemed to be trying to eat each other.
However, all of that was forgotten when the band struck up with Tin Roof Blues. The sardines, sorry, the dancers smooched around the floor like they did in that movie They Shoot Horses Don't They? Everything changed though after an explosive drum break from Haigh. The tempo doubled and suddenly the shot and shell were flying. The horns were wailing, the washboard scrubbing and the rhythm section taking them down to New Orleans or maybe Harlem. It was hard to believe we were still in Newcastle.
Elise Hopper sang Ain't Nobody Loves me Like You do, One in a Million, Double Rations and Ghosts. Michael Littlefield chipped in with I Can't Take it no Longer and several other match winners. Both are the perfect fit in this band.
On trumpet, Pete Tanton, a star who fell from Alabama (via SSBB), blew hot licks that you don't find in Arban's Complete Method For the Trumpet. Another SSBB horn player, Keith Armstrong, shuffled his armoury of reed instruments to suit the song. His soprano solo on Viper Man was arguably the solo of the night.
David 'Showtime' Gray's exuberance gives any band a lift. He's the type of guy who could wear Primark jeans with a Saville Row dinner jacket and come away with the 'Best Dressed' award. It reflects in his playing: smooth as silk one minute, 40 grit sandpaper the next but always in context.
Katja was never going to win this one but on the rare occasions when she could be heard it was effective.
I've been to two gigs recently and both bands included a sousaphone player. Some people go through life without seeing one so I'm twice blessed (I think).
Neil Hopper was the sousaphonist on this occasion doubling on double bass although not simultaneously.
Over at the far end of the stage Elliott Rush did the business. Littlefield, whom I mentioned earlier, not only sings and plays great guitar but also doubles on banjo - well nobody's perfect.
Behind the kit, Kit, apart from his explosion on Tin Roof Blues, kept the tempo steady doing just what was required to keep everything under control(ish).
I've heard this band many times and this was one of them - one of the best I hasten to add. They're just perfect for an evening of serious fun. Great night in a great venue. Lance
2 comments :
I really wanted to ..
.but Lance wouldn’t….dance
Nice to see you and Warren who is recovering after several months in hospital. Is that why there's been no jazz at the hoochie for a while?
My first jazz gig since a year past xmas. My social life is back to normal no that I've overcome my old men's water works problems!!
Post a Comment