George Washingmachine’s ‘Feel the Manouche’ - (20 November 2014)

A good crowd attended and all enjoyed the ‘Manouche’ from the band made up of George Washingmachine (violin and vocals), Clare O’Meara (accordian, vocals and violin), George’s sons Arthur and Jerry Washington on guitars and Stan Valacos on bass.

The music commenced with Dinah followed by C'est Magnifique, penned by Cole Porter, How High the Moon (made famous by Les Paul), Tin Tin Deo by Dizzie Gillespie and Daphne by Django Reinhardt. This tune was a riot with the two guitars and the bass keeping a fine rhythm. What a great number!

Then followed Cherry as featured by Louis Armstrong, and Tiger by Django, (and this is where George mentioned that they had found a good vinyl before leaving Narooma – St. Vinnies?). The next number was Nouages, with a great blues vocal from Clare. The first set finished up with Sweet Sue, Just You, a song from 1928 by Victor Young and lyrics by Will J Harris.

Well what a beaut set and so we all had a cool ale. While waiting for the band to settle down after the break, Jerry said he had a headache and asked ‘Does anyone have Panadeine?’. This little interlude was soon over when some kind soul came forward with a pill.

Well they hit off the second set with the Edward Claypole number Raggin’ the Scale and the band soon got everyone’s close attention.

Mark O’Connor’s Swingin’ on the Ville followed, then Troublant Bolero by Django and a number composed by George himself called The Moon Has Left Town, This number really had the ‘Manouche’.

Then came Crazy Rhythm, released in 1911 and played by Django in 1937. Well George and the crew really gave it some in 2014.

A dream song, You Stepped Out of a Dream, made popular by Nat King Cole, was followed by Django’s Nuits de Saint-Germain-Des-Pres. Then came Rose Room followed by a short break while George Pitt managed the Club’s raffle draw.

The third set sizzled off with Just You, Just Me and Cole Porter’s You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To.

A Wes Montgomery tune called Jingles was produced by the band with fantastic harmonies from all.

The old Irving Berlin composition The Song is Ended (but the Melody Lingers On), completed this fine rendition of the Jazz Genre along with Django Reinhardt favourites and led everyone to really ‘Feel The Manouche’.

If you haven’t caught up with George and the gang I can really recommend it.

Yours in Jazz
[Review by Ken Gordon, DSJC Member No. 1]