Record Reviews

GEORGIE FAME ~ BIRTHDAY BIG BAND THREE LINE WHIP 007 (Barcode: 640999906428) ~ UK ~ Big Band Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 2004 This is an album by British Jazz vocalist / keyboardist / songwriter Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, recorded live during a concert celebrating his fifty-fifth Birthday, recorded with a fabulous Big Band created especially for the occasion and conducted by composer / arranger Steve GrayFind albums by this artist. The eighteen strong Big Band includes some of the top British Jazz instrumentalists: trumpeters Guy BarkerFind albums by this artist and Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, Peter KingFind albums by this artist and Art ThemenFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Anthony KerrFind albums by this artist, bassist Geoff GascoyneFind albums by this artist, drummer Ralph SalminsFind albums by this artist and others. Guest artists include guitarist Jim MullenFind albums by this artist and vocalists Madeline BellFind albums by this artist, Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist and Ben SidranFind albums by this artist. The 2CD album presents twenty-three songs, fourteen of which were composed or co-composed by Fame. The music presents, as appropriate for the occasion, the entire retrospective of Fame’s musical career, including his greatest hits, as well as the entire scope of his stylistic diversity, presenting Fame as a completely original songwriter and interpreter of Jazz / Rhythm And Blues songs, who had a few equals over time. His feeling for the Blues, which was present in everything he sang and played over the years, was undoubtedly his signature, but in his songwriting Fame contributed some of the most beautiful songs ever written, often with highly whimsical and humorous lyrics. This album, due to the Big Band arrangements, is one of the most Jazz oriented recordings by Fame, but by far not the only one, as he loved to perform and record with Big Bands, something I was lucky to witness in person several times over the years. Fame is definitely one of the very few vocalists who is able to blend in perfectly with a Jazz Big Band and a Rhythm And Blues combo with the same, impeccable result. The album is an orgy of great tunes, superb instrumental performances and brilliant vocals, which simply cannot leave any music lover cold, unless he is already cold dead. What luck this concert was recorded and eventually released on record (six years later, but of course better late than never). It has been one of my favorite Fame recordings since the day it was released and a superb summary of those first fifty-five years. God Bless!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 15/05/2021

CD 2 Recommend To A Friend

GEORGIE FAME ~ CHARLESTONS THREE LINE WHIP 006 ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2002 - 2003 Released: 2003 This is a delightful album by veteran British vocalist / organist / songwriter Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, my all times favorite British Jazz singer. With a splendid career going back to the early 1960s, Fame moved gradually from Rhythm And Blues and Pop, which dominated his early career, towards Jazz, and became a superb interpreter of standards as well as fabulous writer of original material, which is completely unique and full of deep lyricism and Blues undertones. On this album Fame is surrounded by a superb group of top British Jazz musicians: trumpeter Guy BarkerFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and Nick PaynFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Anthony KerrFind albums by this artist, guitarist Tristan PowellFind albums by this artist, bassist Geoff GascoyneFind albums by this artist, drummer James PowellFind albums by this artist and percussionist Ralph SalminsFind albums by this artist (the two Powells are of course Fame’s sons). Fame sings and plays keyboards as usual and two fabulous vocalists: Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist and Madeline BellFind albums by this artist help with the singing. The album presents eleven tracks (one a medley of two songs), eight of which are original songs by Fame and four are standards. The music is absolutely delightful from start to finish, as expected, and it is truly heartwarming to see (and hear) an artist in the fifth decade of his career sounding as fresh as ever and full of productive powers, enriched over the time with experience. Combined with the typical “Englishness” and tongue in cheek attitude, this music is just pure delight. Sadly, this is one the very last albums recorded by Fame in the new Millennium, which is a great pity. Some archival recordings of his and collections of his earlier recordings still pop up once in a while, proving that he is definitely not forgotten. For his many fans, this album is an absolute must have of course, and although nor easy to be found these days, it is definitely worth pursuing. A Gem!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 07/03/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GEORGIE FAME ~ RELATIONSHIPS THREE LINE WHIP 005 (Barcode: 5020883007342) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2001 Released: 2001 This is a delightful album by veteran British vocalist / organist / songwriter Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, my all times favorite British Jazz singer. With a splendid career going back to the early 1960s, Fame moved gradually from Rhythm And Blues and Pop, which dominated his early career, towards Jazz, and became a superb interpreter of standards as well as fabulous writer of original material, which is completely unique and full of deep lyricism and Blues undertones. On this album Fame is surrounded by a superb group of top British Jazz musicians: trumpeter Guy BarkerFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and Peter KingFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Anthony KerrFind albums by this artist, guitarist Tristan PowellFind albums by this artist, bassist Geoff GascoyneFind albums by this artist, drummer James PowellFind albums by this artist and percussionist Ralph SalminsFind albums by this artist (the two Powells are of course Fame’s sons). Fame sings and plays keyboards as usual. The album presents twelve tracks (one a medley of two songs), eleven of which are original songs by Fame and two are standards. The music is absolutely delightful from start to finish, as expected, and it is truly heartwarming to see (and hear) an artist in the fifth decade of his career sounding as fresh as ever and full of productive powers, enriched over the time with experience. Combined with the typical “Englishness” and tongue in cheek attitude, this music is just pure delight. Sadly, this is one the very last albums recorded by Fame in the new Millennium, which is a great pity. Some archival recordings of his and collections of his earlier recordings still pop up once in a while, proving that he is definitely not forgotten. For his many fans, this album is an absolute must have of course, and although nor easy to be found these days, it is definitely worth pursuing. A Gem!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 05/03/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GEORGIE FAME ~ SWAN SONGS THREE LINE WHIP 010 (Barcode: 5052442008002) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2013 Released: 2015 This is a delightful album by veteran British singer / keyboardist / songwriter Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, one of my all time favorite British Jazz musicians and especially vocalists. He is supported by a wonderful team, which includes trumpeter Guy BarkerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Anthony KerrFind albums by this artist, bassist Alec DankworthFind albums by this artist, guitarist Tristan PowellFind albums by this artist, drummer James PowellFind albums by this artist (the last two are Fame´s sons since his real name is Clive PowellFind albums by this artist after all) and percussionist Ralph SalminsFind albums by this artist. Legendary vocalist Madeline BellFind albums by this artist appears on two tracks. The album presents twelve tracks, ten of which are original songs by Fame and two are standards. As the album´s title ominously suggests, this album was meant to be the last recording by Fame, and sadly so far, six years after it was recorded, no other new album was recorded by him, which is a great pity, especially in view of the excellent form he displays on this album. The music is the usual mixture of Blues, Rhythm And Blues and Jazz, which Fame so uniquely combined into his own idiom for decades. His highly personal delivery, always mixed with a dash (or more) of British humor, and his charismatic presence will remain forever in the memory of those who knew him and his music. The album´s songs present a concept of a person telling his life´s story via the autographical songwriting, which works beautifully from start to finish. The album as a whole is simply a marvelous piece of artistry and if this is indeed to be Fame´s swan song, it is a most appropriate goodbye gesture. I don´t think I need to persuade anybody familiar with Fame´s music to grab this marvelous album as long as it is available. As for me – Fame´s music was a true ingredient of the soundtrack of my life, from his very first recordings in the early 1960s and until this one – five decades of joy and musical bliss. Thank you!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 29/09/2019

CD 1 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

GEORGIE FAME ~ THREE LINE WHIP THREE LINE WHIP 001 (Barcode: 5017771102623) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1993 Released: 1993 This is the first album recorded by British Jazz vocalist / keyboardist / songwriter Georgie FameFind albums by this artist with his two sons: guitarist Tristan PowellFind albums by this artist and drummer James PowellFind albums by this artist, a family trio called Three Line WhipFind albums on this label, which also became the name of Fame’s record label. The trio is augmented by some of the top British Jazz instrumentalists: Trumpeter Guy BarkerFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Peter KingFind albums by this artist, Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist and Steve GregoryFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Anthony KerrFind albums by this artist and bassist Brian OdgersFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine songs (one repeated twice), mostly Fame originals. The music is absolutely lovely, as always, and presents Fame as a completely original songwriter and interpreter of Jazz / Blues / Soul / Pop songs, who had a few equals over time. His feeling for the Blues, which was present in everything he sang and played over the years, was undoubtedly his signature, but in his songwriting Fame contributed some of the most beautiful songs ever written, often with highly whimsical and humorous lyrics. Fame’s last album on his label, the fabulous “Swan SongFind albums with this title” released in 2015, hints as to the possibility of being his last recording, but I still firmly believe and hope that he might bless us with some more of his musical bliss. Please!

Updated: 01/05/2021Posted: 01/05/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

GEORGIE FAME ~ TONE-WHEELS `A` TURNIN` THREE LINE WHIP 008 (Barcode: 5032396000031) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 2008 Released: 2009 This is an album by British Jazz vocalist / keyboardist / songwriter Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, recorded with a fabulous band that includes his two sons: guitarist Tristan PowellFind albums by this artist and drummer James PowellFind albums by this artist, as well as some of the top British Jazz instrumentalists: trumpeter Guy BarkerFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Anthony KerrFind albums by this artist and bassist Alec DankworthFind albums by this artist. Fame half-jokingly calls the band The Last Blue FlamesFind albums by this artist, a tribute to the revolving band that accompanied him throughout his career since 1962. The album presents twelve original songs, all composed or co-composed by Fame. The music is absolutely lovely, as always, and presents Fame as a completely original songwriter and interpreter of Jazz / Rhythm And Blues songs, who had a few equals over time. His feeling for the Blues, which was present in everything he sang and played over the years, was undoubtedly his signature, but in his songwriting Fame contributed some of the most beautiful songs ever written, often with highly whimsical and humorous lyrics. This album also features prominently Fame’s playing the Hammond organ, which was less prominent on his later albums, proving that he was one of the best organists on the British scene ever. Despite the “Last Blue Flames” warning, Fame recorded another album on his label five years later with almost identical lineup, the fabulous “Swan SongFind albums with this title” released in 2015, hinting as to the possibility of being his last recording, but I still firmly believe and hope that he might bless us with some more of his musical bliss. Please!

Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 09/05/2021

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

DICK WALTER / JAZZCRAFT ENSEMBLE ~ SECRET MOVES ASC 029 (Barcode: 5029716002929) ~ UK ~ Jazz Recorded: 1998 Released: 1999 This is a wonderful and criminally little known album by the British composer / arranger Dick WalterFind albums by this artist recorded with the Jazzcraft EnsembleFind albums by this artist, a gathering of eleven top British Jazz musicians and five guest stars, which collectively read like the who´s who of British Jazz at the closure of the previous Millennium. The ensemble, conducted by Walter, included trumpeter Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist, flugelhornist Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, French horn player Richard BissillFind albums by this artist, valve trombonist Pete BeachillFind albums by this artist, tuba player Oren MarshallFind albums by this artist, saxophonists Phil ToddFind albums by this artist, Steve BuckleyFind albums by this artist and Iain DixonFind albums by this artist, pianist Nikki IlesFind albums by this artist, bassist Chris LaurenceFind albums by this artist and drummer Paul ClarvisFind albums by this artist. The guests were: vocalist Norma WinstoneFind albums by this artist, flautist Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist, baritone saxophonist Alan BarnesFind albums by this artist, vibraphonist Anthony KerrFind albums by this artist and finally guitarist John ParricelliFind albums by this artist. The album presents fifteen relatively short pieces, five of which are original compositions by Walter and the rest are carefully selected Jazz standards and one BeatlesFind albums by this artist song, all exquisitely arranged by Walter. Each and every one of these pieces is an absolute gem, perfectly rounded and complete like a mini-suite, representing all the best in British / European Jazz: delicate aesthetics, superb taste, intelligence and deep understanding of music. This album is one of the most perfect examples of large ensemble Jazz ever recorded and should be a schoolbook example of Jazz arrangement. The music is also beautifully performed by these Master musicians, who contribute perfect ensemble playing as well as beautiful soli, all relatively concise due to the album´s timing limitations, but nevertheless perfectly rounded and expressive. Altogether these seventy two minutes of music round up almost everything there is to say in a mainstream Jazz ensemble format. I have no idea how this nugget managed to slip under my radar for so many years; better late than never is the only solace. The music brings so many memories and associations about British Jazz and its history, that listening to it for the first time was a deeply emotional experience for me. Repeated listening sessions revealed the depth of the arrangements and the incredible craft involved in making it. It is a true masterpiece in every respect. I can hardly imagine a proper British Jazz collection being complete without this album being part of it, and therefore grab a copy as long as it is still available. You can thank me later on, after you have listened to it ;)

Updated: 24/01/2023Posted: 15/04/2019

CD 1 Essential Recommend To A Friend