The New Century Ragtime Orchestra marked its twenty
fifth anniversary with a return visit to Gosforth Civic Theatre.* Cabaret
table layout, the NCRO attracted a sizeable crowd, there to listen to two one
hour sets of ragtime numbers and more.
The first of several surprises occurred right at the beginning of the evening. The twelve piece NCRO was shorn of several members. Eight, yes, eight musicians ambled onto stage. What was going on? Très Moutarde (Too Much Mustard) opened the show with eight musicians on the bandstand. In the absence of the NCRO's vacationing Steve Andrews, Caroline Irwin and Jim McBriarty would share MC duties and it was Ms Irwin who explained all: the band's very first public performance comprised eight musicians. Yes, it was a surprising and most entertaining opening! As the applause died down, the eight were joined from the wings by the remaining members of the orchestra, making it the more familiar round dozen.
I'm Through with Love sang Irwin, a
winning number in the NCRO's pad. As and when the occasion demands, the NCRO is
augmented by one or two guest musicians. This was one such occasion and old
friends of the band, virtuoso pianist Martin Litton and period percussion
master Nick Ward, joined the party. The ever-elegant Litton had the stage to
himself to play some Irving Berlin - the little-performed Soft Lights
and Sweet Music a highlight. The Sheik of Araby (see
photo) dropped by to sing...well, you've guessed it. And who
played the part of the Sheik? That would be telling...
Steve L. Roberts' Wha-Cha-Call-'Em Blues, as recorded by Fletcher Henderson, scored heavily, as did Clarence Williams' I'm Busy and You Can't Come In. Dusted off charts and new charts had the effect of revitalising the NCRO, twenty five years on from the band's first gig.
* Covid years resulted in something of a hiatus. The NCRO first performance was last century (late 20th century), c 1997-98. Russell
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