I decided to go to Cullercoats where I had the choice of taking a brisk lunchtime dip in the North Sea, or listening to Classic Swing inside the local Crescent Club. I opted for the latter and it was a wise choice.
Kicking off with Tommy Moran's eponymous signature tune the sound was good and the arrangement worthy of one of those legendary Buck Clayton small groups from the early 1950s. The swinging continued with I'm Beginning to See the Light. This was better than doing the Australian Crawl in sub-zero temperatures.
A swing era classic, 9-20 Special, had excellent solos all round including some bass notes from bandleader Rudd who rarely puts his head above the parapet but whose presence is always felt. Also impressive was drummer Ian Stocks who captured the percussive accents so essential to the head with the precision of Jo Jones.
Neville Hartley sang Rockin' Chair - a choice of that may or may not have been audience related. The set closed with Olive belting out When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves For Alabam' over the boisterous ensemble. Nice clarinet solo from Alan Marshall.
The raffle was drawn, the prizes claimed and we were off again - Harlem Bound. Another classic swing number so suited to Classic Swing. Jim McBriarty sang I'm Stepping Out With a Memory Tonight. It's a lovely ballad originally recorded by Jimmy Dorsey with vocal by Helen O'Connell. Dorsey played alto and O'Connell sang unlike Jim who did both equally well.
Olive returned for two songs that seem to have a vague connection: Is it True What They Say About Dixie? and It's a Sin to Tell a Lie. Terrific piano accompaniment from Jeremy.
A new original from Tommy Moran, In a Minor Mood, was exactly that, Neville chanted Big Butter and Egg Man before Olive closed the show with Doctor Jazz.
A good way to start the new year - better than swimming in the sea! Thanks To Jimmy Mack for the BSH shout out. Much appreciated Lance
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