Guy Barker’s Inferno 67 finished a sold-out three-night run at Ronnie Scott’s last night (Sep 19th). I wrote the “book” and Joe Stilgoe the lyrics, but the heart of the piece is Guy’s music for his 18-piece big band, which almost fitted on the stage. The sheer stamina demanded of the players for this 75-minute epic (which features barely five minutes of silence from them) is astonishing. As is Per “Texas” Johansson who came from Stockholm with his contrabass clarinet to make some amazing sounds and growls. And the trumpets… normally there is a lead trumpet, then a second, third etc… here there were five leads, all trading places. The power generated was intense but sound engineer Miles Ashton ensured there was amazing clarity in the mix – it was possible to isolate individual players within the soundscape..

The show also included Vanessa Haynes singing Headshrinker/Voodoo Working, two old soul classic from the sixties, and Have a Nice Life, lyrics by Joe, music by Guy, which needed someone of Vanessa’s skill and power to do it justice. She smashed it every night. Here she is with Guy conducting. Costume singer’s own.

Danny Sapani played the narrator but also “rapped” as Little Albert, singer at the nightclub Hell on Earth.

And as well as supplying lyrics, Joe Stilgoe was the MC of Hell on Earth, Joey Darke.

Above is actress and writer Emer Kenny who played the enigmatic Cassandra with (the back of – sorry) Demetri Goritsas who is a heartbroken cop who falls in love with Cassandra. Shame she’s a Memetim, an avenging angel (check your bible, Book of Job). That’s a shrunken head she is admiring.

Also playing a starring role…

Yes it is quite a complex plot, but really its just a love story with added complications – like immortality. And Irish whiskey.

Thank you to http://www.ronniescotts.co.uk / @officialronnies for having us and taking a chance on a very different type of show for the club. and for the above pictures There’s even a rumour we might do it again next year…..