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| © Russell |
A step back in time at the appropriately named Prohibition Bar. The New Century Syncopated Six, an off shoot of the New Century Ragtime Orchestra, played a couple of sets that typified the era of bathtub booze - fortunately the attempt at authenticity didn't stretch that far!
I think the most modern number played last night was composed around 1929 although most were from a year or two earlier. Some familiar and some completely unknown. Still, good music is timeless and if it was good enough for Al Capone who would dare to complain?
The gig was announced as a public rehearsal and we were warned in advance that there may be a glitch or three. Well, maybe there were but they were few and it was a tribute to the band's sight reading ability that, for the most part they went unnoticed.
It was all good fun and the audience of fans and fellow musicians soon formed a rapport with the band.
Guesting with the band was, probably, the world's tallest drummer - Birmingham based Nick Ward - he may also be the world's best in this particular genre. He arrived by Metro complete with folding drum kit!
Jim McBriarty sung and swung, his Boehm system clarinet offering a tonal contrast to Gavin Lee's simple system instrument. Both reedmen sounded authentic on sax, their vibratos spot on.
I understand Dave Hignett is a relative new member of the organisation. Bold and brassy he slotted in nicely.
Phil Rutherford pumped away on tuba and Keith Stephen played banjo, adding to the authenticity of the music.
Holding it all together was the band's Svengali, Dave Kerr, who, as he does with the NCRO, arranged, composed, transcribed and organised much of the music.
A pleasant way to spend a sunny afternoon in Newcastle. Lance
Stomp Your Stuff; Blowing Off Steam; Dinah; Candy Lips; Someday Sweetheart; Riverboat Shuffle; Sunshine; San; Rumba Negra; Chicago Rhythm; Angry; Sobbing Blues; Everybody Loves my Baby; Memories of You; Hot Air
1 comment :
A really lovely afternoon of superb quality music a fabulous venue too
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