Paul Booth w. Strictly Smokin' Big Band play Pet Sounds @ Pilgrim - Oct. 31

© John Lyons*

Paul Booth (tenor/soprano sax, flute, low D whistle, arranger); Michael Lamb (MD/trumpet); Dick Stacey, Billy Bradshaw, Tom Rushton (trumpets); Mark Ferris, Kieran Parnaby, Chris Kurgi-Smith, John Flood (trombones); Steve Summers, Keith Robinson, Jamie Toms, Matthew Forster, Niall Armstrong (reeds); Graham Don (piano); Pawel Jedrzejewski (guitar); Michael Whent (bass guitar); David McKeague (drums); Alice Grace, Jane Davidson, Michael Lavery (vocals); Jack Littlewood (perc.)

Paul Booth, SSBB, the Beach Boys and a couple of extra singers including the venue's owner; put them all together and see what happens. It could be the biggest disaster since the sinking of the Titanic or it might just be an unmitigated triumph.

© John Lyons

I'm pleased to say it was undoubtedly the latter and no might just be about it When the band hit the deck with Light my Fire by the Doors we knew they would keep their end of the bargain. Next up, the man of the moment, Paul Booth, emerged for Twin Flame and his own Twitterbug Waltz - another box ticked. The serpentine lines of his soprano interweaving its way around the melody to great effect.

© John Lyons

So far so good but now we were into the nitty gritty: the title track of the album we were celebrating - Pet Sounds. An instrumental but what a blast! Drums and congas etc gave it a workout and a half. Chris Kurgi-Smith did some super sliding and Paul did some super saxing before they surfed off into the great beyond. 

© John Lyons

By now the packed room was approaching frenzy and the best was yet to come. Alice, looking like ten million dollars and sounding like twenty million sang I'm Waiting For the Day with a nice guitar solo from Pav before one of the Beach Boys' mega hits, Sloop John B, brought bar owner Michael Lavery to the mic for a vocal that brought the house down. Michael, known by many as the frontman of soul and funk band Groove Train may not have been as well known to jazz fans but he is now! With backing vocals from Jane and Alice this was the real deal.

© John Lyons

Prior to tonight Jane Davidson was a new name to me but her strident, almost theatrical voice was up to the the task of being heard above a shouting big band that had both Booth and Toms on tenors slugging it out either side of her. The tune was Don't Talk. We didn't, instead we shouted our approval. That's Not me featured Parnaby and Summers on trombone and alto respectively before the set closed with I Know There's an Answer. This latter number once more featured Michael L as well as solos from Niall, Paul and Billy Bradshaw whose trumpet solo was one of the evening's many surprises.

© John Lyons

The second set opened with Alice singing Wasn't Made For These Times with another super trumpet solo, this time from Rushton; You Still Believe in me (solos by Matt on tenor and Keith on alto); Let's Get Away For Awhile (Graham Don); Caroline, No (Jane); Here Today with a bop chorus by the saxes that even had Paul clapping in appreciation of their dexterity.

© John Lyons

An emotional God Only Knows featuring Paul and Alice - not a dry glass in the house then the vocal trio had fun with Wouldn't it be Nice before the grand finale - Good Vibrations (not from the album) - demonstrating Mr Pilgrim's vocal capabilities which range from falsetto to basso profundo.

This had been a night to remember, to savour, to tell your grandkids about as everyone who made their pilgrimage to Pilgrim St. will most surely concur. Welcome home Paul Booth even though it was only for  one night. Lance

* All photos are © John Lyons. MORE.