Reporter: Tony Sheldon
Date online: 12/06/2008

The visit of the Tame Valley Stompers to Castleton was anything bu tame, but where were the punters for an evening of musical magic. Perhaps the big names do attract but the absentees missed a five piece outfit led from the front by the powerful trombone of Don Long and the reeds wizardry of Paul Broomhead blended with the keyboard athleticism of Alan Howarth. The stylish bass guitar of Pete Smith and the detailed percussion of Norman Pennington.

Long's trombone solo with 'I Want A Little Girl' got the proceedings on track and he added vocals to his fine rendition on 'There'll Be Some Changes Made'. A fine solo on keyboards of 'Do You Know What It MEans' was followed by Broomhead's vocal tones to the 'Coney Island Washboard' and excellent arrangement of Ellington's 'Satin Doll' and the spiritual 'Closer Walk With Thee' ended and excellent first set.

An unusual opening to the second set saw a rhythm section solo performanace with 'A Foggy Day In London Town' par excellence, a superb long vocal and solo with the old favourite 'Tangerine' and Broomhead belting away with 'Dr Jazz' and 'Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gave To Me'.

The final dession had long vocalising on 'Up A Lazy River' and ending in 'Kansas City' and the talking clarinet of Broomhead on 'St Philips Street Breakdown' and so th 'After You've Gone' then 'Going Home' which to the pedantic might seem chronologically flawed!

A great band, a great night out but where were you?

The Tame Valley Stompers
November 2002