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

 Always popular visitors to Rochdale, The Forest New Orleans Band provided an evening of numbers well appreciated by the enthusiastic regulars and guests.

Led by Arthur Stead on trumpet and vocals, a lively front line which has Alan Matthews 'Deppling' on trombone and the versatile reedsman John Brunton presenting a first set of some rarely played tunes like "You Can’t be True" and "Rip 'em up Joe" along with favourites "Bugle Boy March" and "Redwing".

Virtuoso of the piano, Tom Culbert was always prominent and blended with the rhythm of Rob Payton on banjo, Alan Strong on bass and the smiling drumming of Dave Stanley in the popular "Breeze" and "Curse of an Aching Heart" whilst the front line led the way with "St James Infirmary" and "Franklin Street Blues".

A last session of great variety had us marching to "Maryland My Maryland", sighing to "Mama’s Gone Goodbye", praying to "Just a Closer Walk with Thee", singing to "Marie", stamping to Culberts "Thomas Boogie", then it was time for "Home Sweet Home".

The Forest New Orleans Band
The Broadfield Hotel
Sunday 19 March 2006