A front line to savour - 18th May

Another memorable night at Spring Lane, with four in the front and four at the back (when John Ripper had a welcome sit-in) gave us a fat sound and the chance to create some serious riffs.

Tony Pipkin and Ron Hills brought us several of their Swing Kings repertoire, aided and abetted by the ever-creative Terry Roberts. In fact we had three of the Martinique with us - Terry, Ken Jones and Jim Harney. It was a bit like playing for England when Len and me were the full backs and there were sizeable squads from Man United and Chelsea in the attack! When John Ripper came on to play baritone sax, Ken Jones remarked that we were well on the way to becoming the Len Thwaites Big Band, and there were certainly moments when the front line sounded seriously Basie-like.

So it was another great night to be in the rhythm section, when we could lay back on Jim's lovely relaxed swing and chug away while listening to some great solo work from the guys.

I know I say this too often, but there aren't many clubs where you can hear this kind of small band swing, this good, week after week. I think it beats the hell out of Collier-esque dirges, though I expect I'll get hate mail for even mentioning it!!

Any road up, see yer all next Sunday!