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| © Russell |
The
house was impressive, top end of six figures, inside it was wall to wall
eating, drinking, dancing and goodness knows what
else! Resplendent in his officers mess dress uniform (Guards?) mein
host introduced the House of the Black Gardenia to the rapidly filling mini
ballroom where the swing dancers were straining at the leash ready to
strut their stuff and strut it they did - mein host leading the charge as his forebears may have done at Sebastopol.
Band and dancers were soon rhythmically connected. Saxist, singer Fiona Finden later commented that they were as one with each inspiring the other.
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| © Russell |
Big Big Man had solos all round and again the ever swinging Elisa on vocal. After You Rascal You which had backing vocals by both band and dancers, Michael Littlefield sang Why? He plays a mean blues guitar, does some mighty fine banjo picking and has a voice that slots easily into the idiom.
The set closed with Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho but, before the walls came a-tumblin' down we heard the best version of I Wish I Could Shimmy Like my Sister Kate since the 1939 recording by Muggsy Spanier's Ragtimers. With Elise scrubbing the washboard and the hottest trumpet solo I've ever heard from Pete (normally he's on the Chet Baker side of the street) this really was something else.
Time to feed the inner man, chat with some of my high society acquaintances: " Have you heard about dear Blanche? Got run down by an avalanche." "No!" "She's a game girl, got up and finished fourth."
The second set opened instrumentally with The Mooche followed by Low Down Blues with a gutsy solo by David Gray particularly catching the mood. Elise introduced If You Don't Give me What I Want as being from the band's early days (back then she answered to the name of Bobbi Charleston) adding that Lance will probably remember it. I did and here's my review to prove it.
Michael was featured once again on Evenin' and I Can't Take it no Longer sandwiching Elise's Blue Drag. Both singers deserved the accolades bestowed upon them.
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Although there was a jam session to follow, it was time for the BSH contingent to leave. No liveried chauffeur, just the old family retainer (Nexus) to return us from whence we came. We all agreed that it had been a swell party with a great band who capture the essence of small group swing to perfection. Sir, you did your former regiment proud. Lance
1 comment :
It was a lovely party with fine music and dancing and fine hospitality from Lloyd. There was indeed a sense of the ballroom in a big old fashioned terrace house.
It was also rich in unexpected encounters with people who have been part of our musical lives in Newcastle. It was a very memorable evening.
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