Big And Brassy

Last night I went to an excellent Battle of the Brass Bands at the Barbican. In the left corner was Germán Lizárraga y su Banda Estrellas de Sinaloa from Mexico; in the right corner, Serbia's very own, Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra.

I am not sure who won officially. I would have it down as a very high-scoring draw. The Mexicans looked to have nicked it with an enthusiastic stage invasion by their supporters but then the Serbs hit back with one of their own, much to the irritation of the stewards and the delight of the neutrals. I think the last time I have seen such a crowd reaction at the Barbican was when Rachid Taha played there a few years ago. It probably helps to have the Brits outnumbered.

At one point in the proceedings the Markovics did what appeared to be a cover version of Lee Dorsey's "Ya Ya". Here is another foreign language cover version, plus a bit of Lee himself.

"Ya Ya Twist" - Petula Clark

"Neighbor's Daughter" - Lee Dorsey

"Occapella" - Lee Dorsey

"Freedom For The Stallion" - Lee Dorsey