The New Orleans Wiggle

August is the silly season, and the visit of the of the New Orleans Wiggle formed from the remains of the late Denis Brownes band failed to ignite a below average attendance on a rainy evening.

A long first set featured vocalist Caroline Graham with renditions of "Who's Sorry Now", "Back In Your Own Backyard", "I Got Rhythm" and "He's Funny That Way". But her performance seem to fall as flat as the atmosphere. The band seemed to lack that necessary spark with "Bogalusa Strutt" and "Fidlety Feet" though a John Brunton clarinet solo on "I Can't Escape From You" did lift the audiences expectations.

The second set included Pete Beaumont's piano in "Ace In The Hole" and Graham increased her presence to match her undoubted talent with "Goody Goody For You" but "Nobody Knows You When You're Down And Out" seemed to sum up the evening.

A final third set of "Dr Jazz", "Algiers Strutt" with trumpeter John Humberstone and trombonist Eugene Farrell prominent coupled with some sassy Graham numbers brought the proceedings to a close. Lets just say it was one of those nights but the Wiggle can wiggle a lot better.

Jazz on Sunday
July 2002