I ENJOYED the article 'Boom town cats' (May 18) because that was an era of groovy music and swinging hit tunes that, at the time, seemed to be never-ending.

Yet it answers the question put by Ivy Eden's group when I felt at odds playing piano for old-time music acts.

Ivy and Ada were a class act.

Ada was a lovely singer, but it seemed strange going back to the old music hall stuff, and I would often joke about the date at the bottom of the music as I played it, while Ivy was turning the pages.

Allan Denney,

Catesby House,

Holgate Road,

York.

Updated: 11:07 Friday, May 24, 2002