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

One of the highlights of 2002 was the visit of the Old Fashioned Love Band in October. . . and their eagerly awaited return was greeted with great enthusiasm, a large crowd and a performance of the greatest quality.

Six excellent musicians who blend the crafts of their trade into a singular unit par excellence. It is difficult to analyse such a presentation and very easy to run out of superlatives describing a band playing twenty seven numbers of great variety and superb arrangement.

Led by trumpeter Mel Hill who vocalised with 'You Always Hurt The One You Love', 'Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams', 'Make Me A Pallet On The Floor', 'Running Wild', 'You Made Me Love You' and Chris Barber's 'Salty Dog'; plus cameo solos and a fine duo with clarinet plus bass solo on the classic 'You Came To Me Right Out Of Nowhere'.

Eric Newton's clarinet is a joy to the ear, always prominent but heard at it's best on 'St Philip Street Breakdown' and featured on 'Ice Cream' and 'Hello Central' having returned from a months busking in Melbourne which has become an annual occasion - lucky sod !!

Completing the frontline, Mike Pembroke's charismatic trombone and vocals shone through with 'Baby Won't You Please Come Home', 'Shine', 'Mama's Gone, Goodbye', 'At The Dark Town Strutters Ball and 'Ice Cream, a duo with Newton's clarinet.

Here is a band which complements the drumming of Dave Timmis with the talents of banjo/guitarist Jake Reeves and bassist 'Pedro' Robinson who performed a selection of duo's throughout the concert - Reeves multi-skills 'were given its head' with vocal and guitar on 'From Monday On', 'Mississippi Sandman' duo with clarinet, 'Do The New Yorker', bass banjo on 'Chloe' and banjo duo with trumpet on 'Maria Elena'.

Add to all this such storming stomping on 'Too Busy', the rousing opener 'Streets Of The City' and excellent arrangement of 'The Entertainer' the multi melodic 'Isle Of Capri' and a finishing mayhem of 'Move The Body Over'.

Come back soon!

The Old Fashioned Love Band
April 2003