Cool for Cats

Last night I went to see Jools Holland in concert with his fabulous Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. This was the first night of a UK tour which takes in the Royal Albert Hall and ends at Christmas in Brighton. It was absolutely stomping! I’d been anticipating a good evening but was nevertheless unprepared for the sheer energy and exuberance that pounded out from the stage. Boogie-woogie, R&B, Stride, Rock & Roll – it was all there in a magnificent and eclectic set of number after rocking number.

One of Jools’s many qualities – and one which we see revealed in his TV shows – is his ability to provide a showcase for all the talent appearing with him. Every single member of his 16-piece orchestra was given a solo spot in which they could shine and enthral us with their individual style and flair. There were some wickedly good musicians amongst them – don’t let anyone tell you that trumpets and trombones are merely boring support instruments. The Salvation Army never sounded like this. Amongst the trombone players was the legendary Rico Rodriguez – an amazing 73 years old, but still belting it out like a good ‘un. He’s a master of Jamaican Ska and did, I believe, play with The Specials back in the 70s & 80s.

On vocals, Jools treated us to the delights of the soaring melodies of Louise Marshall and the thumping blues voice of Ruby Turner. But the pièce de resistence was the arrival of Lulu who rocked us into a frenzy and who even included her yardstick hit from the 60s ‘Shout!’ On drums was Gilson Lavis – looking strangely like John le Mesurier – who has played with Jools since his time with the group Squeeze.

A magnificent evening, after which I found it difficult to get to sleep. And all this after the Mahem Party at the Broadway the night before. That was a riot too – one of the best Hallowe’en parties I’ve ever been to. All the usual Broadway luvvies were there, dressed in the most outrageous and flamboyant of costumes. A far cry from my day when all we could come up with was a bit of black eye makeup, a smear of fake blood and a bin liner. It’s been quite a week and I’m just thankful that I declined to go to the ‘Living Dead’ party at the Pitti Patti Club the night before that. There’s only so much fun an old man can take, you know.