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Lee Fisher enjoys a celebration of forty years of a North East music institution with Jumpin’ Hot Club
Image by Lee Fisher
Well, this was a lovely thing. The Jumpin’ Hot Club has been doing Tyneside proud for four decades, bringing the very best Americana, roots, blues and reggae to venues all across Newcastle and Gateshead and presenting it all with an easy, friendly charm that comes naturally to founders Shippy and Adam. For the close of their 40th anniversary celebrations, we find ourselves in the lovely space of St Mary’s Heritage Centre, hard by the Glasshouse, and here’s Shippy onstage exuding that aforementioned charm as he gives us a couple of forgivably sentimental numbers before being joined by long-time JHC compadre Nev Clay, who overcomes his sore throat for a couple of songs.
Shipcote & Friends’ member Cath joins in for a couple on fiddle and uke and the whole thing exudes laid back bonhomie. Errant Moose were next up and they’re a little better each time I see them, their fiddle and guitar harmony duo style – rooted in the Appalachians and in heartbreak country – utterly charming and occasionally quite moving (especially on a cover of John Prine’s classic Angel From Montgomery). Their voices are lovely, their playing is full of feeling and guitarist Phoebe is a laff riot.
Rob Heron made full use of the venue’s amazing acoustics – church reverb works a treat with an impassioned yodel – and he gave us a mix of originals (Fool Talkin’ Man sounded particularly great) and old time numbers like Bob Miller’s Bank Failures, prescient as ever despite being about ninety years old. Heading up the bill were The Often Herd (who I think are a rebranded Kentucky Cow Tippers) and they were excellent. A fiddle / mandolin / guitar / double bass line-up is always a treat and there are three fine voices too, with American fiddler Niles sounding particularly warm and soulful. Essentially a bluegrass outfit but with hints of everyone from Crosby, Stills & Nash to The Dillards, the harmonies are strong (and tinged with gospel) and the interplay between the instruments is really impressive. This was a great gig and a fine anniversary for the Jumpin’ Hot Club. Long may they reign.
