Mahogany Hall Stompers, Friday, 11th April 2014

MAHOGANY HALL STOMPERS played here at FARNBOROUGH JAZZ CLUB on Friday, 11th April 2014.  We had a great crowd to greet them.  Band leader BRIAN GILES (cornet) booked BRIAN WHITE on reeds, GEORGE ‘KID’ TIDIMAN on trombone & vocals (yep, he was here with his own band last week), ‘SOUTHEND BOB’ ALLBUT on banjo & vocals (and yes, right again, he was also here last week), JOHN BLENHEIM on drums and EDDY JOHNSON on double bass.  Once again, a super atmosphere making it an enjoyable evening with plenty of dancing.  Now, I’m sure you would like a little taster of tunes we were treated to, yes?  The fact that we were busy, I was unable to jot down the first couple of numbers, but I remember ‘Pretty Baby’ was sung by Bob.  I have often mentioned before, Bob has a super voice, not dissimilar to Hoagie Carmichael, but deeper, what I describe as a fantastic ‘round’ baritone sound, do you know what I mean?  The next tune was a big ‘Number One’ hit of Tommy Dorsey, namely ‘On Treasure Island’ and the ‘Mahogany boys’ certainly did this number justice.  Another excellent number was ‘Big Chief Battle Axe’ (of Bunk Johnson fame), which encouraged plenty of dancing.  They also played ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’, sung by Bob, which enticed the audience to sing along (I think almost everyone knows most of the lyrics, both young and old).  Next I recall Brian saying “let’s have some Fats Waller” and ‘I’m Flying High’ was his choice (it certainly should be a signature tune for Keith – ha).  Bob sung the next number that has some brilliant lyrics.  The number was a Jelly Roll Morton famed one, called ‘Michigan Waters Blues’. The lyrics say something about Mississippi waters tasting like turpentine!  (I just love the diversity of the numbers Bob sings).  This time ‘I Want a Little Girl to Call My Own’ was sung by George (another great voice) and then Bob sang the next number, ‘Blues my Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me’ (made famous by Sidney Bechet).   It was certainly a very happy evening.  Please note they are to return 13th June 1014.

Cheers

Diane and Keith

 ‘Big Chief Battle Axe’ – Thomas S. Allen (1907)
‘Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives to Me’ – Charles McCarron, Casey Morgan & Arthur Swanstrom (1919)
‘I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling’ – Fats Waller (1929)
‘I Want A Little Girl To Call My Own’ – (m) Murray Mencher, (l) Bill Moll (1930)
‘Michigan Waters Blues’ – Clarence Williams (1930)
‘On The Sunny Side of the Street’ – (m) Jimmy McHugh, (l) Dorothy Field (1930)
‘On Treasure Island’ – Joseph Burke & Edgar Leslie (1935)
‘Pretty Baby’ – (m) Tony Jackson (1912) & Egbert Van Alstyne, (l) Gus Kahn (1916)