[Dixielandjazz] Cell Block 7

[John Farrell]

Last night on the final gig of their current UK tour Cell Block 7 were on
spectacular form. They appeared at Aston Village Hall ( the Oxfordshire
village of Aston is a barely discernible dot on the English landscape)
thanks to the dedicated efforts of listmates Jude Eames and Tony Davis.

By golly, did we have the mother of all F2Fs !! Andy Ling (bjo), Tony (tpt)
and Pat Ladd (impoverished drum kit) were present as was an excellent banjo
player whose name I did not catch - what a joy it was to meet these highly
respected contributors to our beloved list. Jude took the opportunity to
present to the world the first public airing of the DJML jazz band comprised
solely of listmates, whose opening and coincidentally only number was
rapturously received by the forgiving throng.

Without doubt the star of the show was CB7's truly amazing banjoist Kurt
Abell, who in addition to several other features performed his newly
arranged Wizard Of Oz medley for which the audience rewarded him with a
richly deserved standing ovation.

My sit-in number was Dr. Jazz (which CB7 plays in F !!). Bob Romans sidled
over to me and whispered, "Do you know the verse - you could do it as an
intro?" I replied that I was unaware that the tune had a verse (so, it
transpired, was he). Bob whispered again "Okay, then f-- the verse" which I
understood to mean that the verse was also in F.

Predictably the night ended with CB7's celebrated arrangement of their 3
double-bell euphonium arrangement of Leroy Anderson's "Buglers Holiday"
which drove the audience into a frenzy of delight.

Despite the fact that I was the nominated driver restricted to orange juice
it was a thoroughly enjoyable night - thanks Jude, thanks Tony, and special
thanks to CB7 - please come back again soon.

John Farrell
http://homepages.tesco.net/~stridepiano/midifiles.htm