THE Jumpin’ Hot Club’s spring season continued with husband-and-wife act Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland who, for this tour, decided to perform as a duo instead of solo.

A fine choice since they complement each other so well.

Doucet’s incredible playing of his Gretsch guitar would fire energy into any performance.

Not that his worth is confined to his innovative playing that booms out like nothing else, but he’s also a fine lead/harmony vocalist and duet partner for the stylish McClelland.

Unsure what to expect from McClelland, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of her assured singing as she performed a set of well-written songs.

When it came to exchanging her own observations with her audience, Melissa’s stories were as good as most. Like Doucet, she’s an entertainer set to gain herself a greater and wider audience. Especially, if she continues to produce such delights as Glenrio, When The Lights Went Off In Hog Town and cover material the way she did Randy Newman’s Dayton, Ohio 1903.

Doucet’s jaw-dropping guitar playing on his own The Day Rick Danko Died and the pulsating Comandante coupled with their mighty duet of Tom Waits’ Gun Street Girl raised the bar to send every one home with an abundance of fond memories.

Maurice Hope