Now for the dance

The intellect was satisfied and the feet were to come. Eamon Dilworth was touring Austrlaia and New Zealand playing and singing his much-loved New Orleans joy and calling on his many mates to accompany him. So this was Eamon with some of our locals: John Mackay, Brendan Clarke, Wayne Kelly and visitor already on the stand from the previous band, Ben Vanderwaal. This was joy personified but with that black melancholy that permeates the American South. First up was a joyous second lines blues, as would be played by NOLA marching bands at funerals. Then a string of frolicksome songs, Bye and bye, When I grow too old to drink, His eye on the sparrow, Just squeeze me, and the more sombre St James Infirmary or the country twangs of Jumbalaya or the story-telling original, Livin' the van life, or the upbeat Ilo Iko. All done with joyous trumpet and some capricious responsive virtuosity form John and immense steadiness from Ben and Brendan and Wayne's facetious light-heartedness on the Duke. The name says it all - Crawfish Po' Boy - spelling out huge joy amongst deep emotions, all a great mark of respect to the tradition. Huge pleasure.

Crawfish Po' Boys is led by Eamon Dilworth (trumpet, vocals) with invited guests John Mackey (tenor), Wayne Kelly (piano), Brendan Clarke (bass) and Ben Vanderwaal (drums).