Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band in Fleet

Over 50 years on from his 'Hand Clappin, Foot Stompin', Funky Butt' days, Geno Washington is still strutting his stuff along with his Ram Jam Band. His show at the Harlington in Fleet, Hampshire, last night showed that he still has loads of energy, and even though he mangled many of the numbers by not finishing them or morphing into another song, it was good fun and much enjoyed by the rather sparse crowd. The five man Ram Jam Band, including two sax players, provided good support as Geno grinned and joked his way through an hour long set. Vocally he is still is pretty good form, and at 75 he is showing no signs of slowing down. Originally from Indiana (as he pointed out) he came to the UK in sixties with the US Air Force and stayed, at least for a while.
Geno's act hadn't really changed since his sixties heyday when I can remember seeing him do his thing at Brixton's Ram Jam Club, inspiring along the way Dexy's Midnight Runners to record their big hit 'Geno'. He's still doing soul covers at a frantic pace - too fast in most cases - but putting his all into them.He began in traditional style with' Philly Dog' and 'Ride Your Pony', and moved on through a bunch of soul standards including 'Uptight', 'Hold On I'm Coming', 'I Can't Turn You Loose', 'Land of 1000 Dances', 'Midnight Hour', Shotgun' and 'Papa's Got A Brand New Bag'. Other songs included 'My Jolene', 'I Got You (I Feel Good), 'Sweet Soul Music' and 'Knock On Wood'.There were a couple of less well known numbers as well, but for the most part it was the sixties soul classics.
The show was supposed to be a reunion of people who went to the Carousel Big C Club in Farnborough back in the day where Geno played three times. I never went there, as I didn't live in the area, but they had some big names playing there, including Otis Redding, Lee Dorsey, the Who and Pink Floyd. There were a few original Carousel-goers in the audience, but according to Bobby Gallocker, who is doing his best to keep memories of the club alive, many club goers just couldn't be bothered to turn out. A shame, as live music in the provinces needs to be supported. It's not often we get an original act playing in Fleet: it's mostly tribute acts. Geno's material may not be original for the most part, but he is: a true survivor from the sixties.