The Brisbane Big Band, Alan Western and Melissa Western - could you want for more?? The Pelican Waters Resort on Sunday 15th January was jumping when the BBB opened the session with a swinging “The Swinger”, then the Miller Favourite “Little Brown Jug”. Alan joined with a group of songs including “I Love Being Here With You” and “Call Me Irresponsible”. The BBB cruised into a slow blues which featured nearly every band member in superb solos. What a band!!! “The Gingerbread Man”, warbled nicely by Alan with a lovely keyboard solo from Jane. Another bracket from the BBB then two great songs from Alan “Don't Worry About Me” and a swinging “This is The End of a Beautiful Friendship”. The final tune in the first set was BBB's “Noosa Nights” which saw some members in a corner strutting their stuff.
The next set opened with “South 21st St Shuffle” which featured a nice clarinet solo. Alan asked “Will Luck Be a Lady” then introduced MELISSA WESTERN, so luck was a lady! Melissa in her own special way with songs entertained with “Almost Like Being in Love” then the Bublé “A New Dawn, A New Day” which brought loud enthusiastic applause. We bounced along with Melissa on “Route 66” and were delighted again with another old favourite “Orange Coloured Sky”. The BBB gave us “Tailspin” to finish. No way! Alan and Melissa responded with a frantic “Mack the Knife”. An encore was demanded and Alan, Melissa and the BBB responded with a blistering “Kansas City”.
Great thanks also to Ben our sound man, who kept the sound balanced in a new venue. Thanks again Allan, Melissa and the Brisbane Big Band for an afternoon of memorable entertaining music.
Review by Casper the SCJC's secret reviewer.
