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The following comments are taken from Local press & Internet Reviews
ASHINGTON JAZZ CLUB - SEPTEMBER 2009
Most of the membership at Ashington Jazz Club turn up in groups or with their spouses. A guy from Newcastle (who I spoke too on the way out) said he had come especially because he had seen the notices on "Bebop Spoken Here". Many thanks for your publicity Lance. Herbie led from the front. With ease, guest star Bob Ludlum did one or two numbers he had not played before. An absolute star player - so inventive.Dep Barry Soulsby played clarinet all night and surpassed himself. First time I've heard Ian Hetherington on drums - so right for the night. A real pro. Spot on.
Alan was featured on bass several times and worked well with Ian. Malcolm kept the whole thing going, directing from the front line - where I feel the piano player should be. Olive sang with the radio mike which gave a well balanced sound. Hope I got all the numbers:- April Showers, Tishomingo Blues (vocal Bob),All of me (vocal Olive), That's a Plenty, Sweet and gentle (Bob on flugal). If I Had a Talking Picture of You (vocal Herbie through trombone mute to give that 20s sound), Bei Mir Bist Du Schon (vocal Olive), Ain't misbehavin', White Cliffs of Dover, Jeepers Creepers, Singing in the Rain (+ Brolly Dollies), Way Down Yonder in New Orleans, Basin St Blues, Just a Gigolo, All the Girls go Crazy 'Bout the Way I Walk (Bob Ludlum on teapot), Just a While, Bourbon St Parade (+ Brolly Dollies).
It was a very very inventive and spontaneous session. The band were resplendent in their white shirts with the Maine street logo and red ties. Afterwards the band groupies sang "The Stripper" as Bob took his shirt off to give back to Herbie! Almost everyone in the audience said it was the best night we have ever had at Ashington. I agree - all we need now is Bob Ludlam to move from Yorkshire to the North East!
John T.
SOUTH SHIELDS GAZETTE - Feb 2010
Probably the last thing you'd expect to encounter in one of the Market Place's watering holes on a Thursday afternoon is the sound of live Dixieland jazz.
However for the past year, Rosie Malone's has presented the seven-piece Maine Street Jazzmen to an attentive and enthusiastic audience of varying ages.
Trumpet player Ray Harley regarded by many as one of the best exponents of this style in the country, gives the band a firm direction, while leader/trombonist/harmonica player and vocalist Herbie Hudson, who was also a founder member of the legendary River City Jazzmen back in the 1950's, provides the perfect foil.
The clarinet player this week was Brian Carrick who has himself played in the home of jazz itself - New Orleans.
On piano, Malcolm Armstrong gets that earthy blues/barrelhouse feel so essential to vintage jazz. He is well supported by Alan Rudd on bass, and Tommy Graham on drums.
Completing the band is Olive, whose vocals conjure up the mood of an Ella Fitzgerald or a Billie Holiday.
One young man I spoke to said, "It's not really my kind of music, yet I can't stop tapping my feet"
And that's what this band is all about - happy foot tapping music.Give them a listen; they're there every Thursday from 2pm to 4pm.
LANCE LIDDLE
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