Record Reviews
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  | KEVIN AYERS ~ THE BBC SESSIONS 1970-1976
HUX 073 ~ UK ~ Canterbury Scene
Another splendid release from the BBC vaults presenting the extraordinary work of Canterbury hero Kevin AyersFind albums by this artist, spanning a period from his early Soft MachineFind albums by this artist days and later solo career. The list of musicians playing with Ayers on these sessions looks like a who’s who of early 1970’s Canterbury scene, Prog and Jazz combined: Robert WyattFind albums by this artist, Mike OldfieldFind albums by this artist, Mike RatledgeFind albums by this artist, Andy SummersFind albums by this artist, Hugh HopperFind albums by this artist, Lol CoxhillFind albums by this artist, David BedfordFind albums by this artist, Elton DeanFind albums by this artist, Archie LeggettFind albums by this artist, Ollie HalsallFind albums by this artist & Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist. The music is as adventurous and quirky as his usual output, with often humorous lyrics and plenty of instrumental passages to spice it all. This material is of immense historical importance and opens many windows to the understanding of the simmering UK musical scene at the time. The sound quality is excellent as usual for all the BBC recorded material. A must to all Canterbury scene fans.
| | | CD 2 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | 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 |
  | CHRIS FARLOWE ~ FROM HERE TO MAMA ROSA
REPERTOIRE 1331 (Barcode: 4009910133125) ~ UK ~ Progressive Rock
Recorded: 1970 Released: 2017
This is a reissue of the fourth album by the seminal British vocalist Chris FarloweFind albums by this artist, one of the most distinctive voices of the British Isles´ musical history. His career started in the early 1960s and he was at the epicenter of the British Rhythm And Blues explosion with his group The ThunderbirdsFind albums by this artist. He was considered as one of the top three acts of the era, together with Georgie FameFind albums by this artist and the Blue FlamesFind albums by this artist and Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist and the Big Roll BandFind albums by this artist. Farlowe recorded no less than three albums in 1966, all excellent examples of the Blues and Rhythm And Blues. In time The Thunderbirds morphed into The HillFind albums by this artist, the group that accompanies Farlowe on this album, which included guitarist Steve HammondFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Peter RobinsonFind albums by this artist, cellist Paul BuckmasterFind albums by this artist, bassist Bruce WaddellFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin DavyFind albums by this artist. The original album presented nine tracks, all but one composed by Waddell or co-composed by him. This reissue adds three bonus tracks.
Musically this album is very different from Farlowe´s earlier Rhythm And Blues recordings and it has a distinctive Progressive Rock flavor, which is hardly surprising considering that soon after the recording of this album Farlowe was about to join the mighty ColosseumFind albums by this artist and later also Atomic RoosterFind albums by this artist, two of the most important representatives of the British Progressive Rock and Jazz-Rock Fusion.
The album presents excellent tunes, all beautifully performed, with impressive instrumental soloing, as appropriate for the Prog idiom. Superb Hammond organ parts and of course cello, which was quite unusual in the Rock setting.
In retrospect this is one of those rare gems that almost completely slipped under the radar of the Prog fans over the tears, which can be rectified with this reissue of course. As for Farlowe, some listeners seem to be allergic to his unique vocal capabilities and theatrics, but personally he was always one of my favorite vocalists, with very few equals over the years.
This is definitely one of the best albums of his solo recording legacy, all of which are definitely worth checking out. It´s great to see this album back in circulation and hopefully it won´t be missed out by his many fans this time. This is a little known gem, which deserves to be heard!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 05/06/2018 | CD 1 Digipak Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
  | JON LORD BLUES PROJECT ~ LIVE
EAR MUSIC 4029759140672 (Barcode: 4029759140672) ~ UK ~ Blues-Rock
Recorded: 2011 Released: 2021
This is a reissue of the only album by British keyboardist / composer / bandleader Jon LordFind albums by this artist and his group Blues ProjectFind albums by this artist, which included some of the finest British musicians associated with Blues and Blues-Rock idioms: guitarist / vocalist Miller AndersonFind albums by this artist, keyboardist / vocalist Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist, vocalist Maggie BellFind albums by this artist, bassist / vocalist Colin HodgkinsonFind albums by this artist and drummer Pete YorkFind albums by this artist. The album was recorded live and presents twelve tracks, which include original material by the members of the group as well as classic Blues songs by British and American songwriters.
Lord, primarily known as the founder of the seminal Rock group Deep PurpleFind albums by this artist, but also as a respected Classical composer, had a deep affinity towards the Blues and recorded several Blues albums with the Australian band Hoochie Coochie MenFind albums by this artist. This album, recorded in May 2011, almost exactly a year before Lord’s untimely death, is one of his very last recordings.
The music is absolutely divine and the stellar lineup offers some breathtaking vocal and instrumental performances, in the best tradition of the British Blues / Blues-Rock. Lord’s Hammond organ gets a lot of the well-deserved exposure and everybody on the stage seems to have a great time, which projects directly on the music played.
Overall, this is a true blast from start to finish, an unadulterated serving prepared by savvy veterans, who know their stuff inside out and seem to be completely unaffected by time. The album is an absolute must to all British Blues / Blues-Rock fans and a great reminded of the many talents of Jon Lord, who is greatly missed!
| | Updated: 08/09/2021Posted: 08/09/2021 | CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend |
  | ZOOT MONEY ~ THE BEST OF ZOOT MONEY`S BIG ROLL BAND
REPERTOIRE 5027 (Barcode: 4009910502723) ~ UK ~ Classic Pop
Recorded: 1964 - 1967 Released: 2007
This is a great compilation of tracks recorded by one of Britain´s best ever Rhythm And Blues outfits led by superb singer / organist Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist and called Big Roll BandFind albums by this artist. The band included a brass section and was playing intelligent arrangements, typical of the British scene at the time and with a great sense of humor. The material includes tracks from the band´s two albums and many singles and other non-album material. For people, who love the sublime British Rhythm And Blues with Jazzy arrangements and excellent musicianship, this is a feast!
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: | CD 1 Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | ZOOT MONEY / BIG ROLL BAND ~ BIG TIME OPERATOR
REPERTOIRE 5343 (Barcode: 4009910534328) ~ UK ~ Pop & Rock
Recorded: 1964 - 1968 Released: 2017
This is a wonderful Box Set collecting early recordings by British vocalist / organist Zoot MoneyFind albums by this artist and his excellent ensemble called Big Roll BandFind albums by this artist. Spread over 4 CDs, the material includes the two albums: "Zoot!Find albums with this title" (Recorded live at the Klook´s Kleek club and released in 1966) and "It Should`ve Been MeFind albums with this title" (The debut studio album released in 1965) and a plethora of additional material, which was recorded live at the Flamingo, as well as at the BBC. Also included are singles and other recordings made between 1964 and 1968, altogether ninety tracks spanning over five hours of music, worth their weight in gold. The band included such luminaries like saxophonists Nick NewallFind albums by this artist, Johnny AlmondFind albums by this artist and Clive BurrowsFind albums by this artist, guitarist Andy SummersFind albums by this artist (later of PoliceFind albums by this artist fame), vocalist / bassist Paul WilliamsFind albums by this artist and drummer Colin AllenFind albums by this artist.
Although the music reflects the British Soul and Rhythm And Blues explosion of the mid 1960s, it also clearly reveals the seeds of early Jazz-Rock and the closely intertwined, cross-genre approach that characterized the British scene at the time. Many musicians felt as comfortable playing a Rhythm And Blues gig as they would playing a Blues or a straight ahead Jazz gig, displaying the same dexterity, knowhow and passion, regardless of the circumstances.
Zoot Money and the Big Roll Band replaced Georgie FameFind albums by this artist and the Blue FlamesFind albums by this artist as the house band at the Flamingo, and the similarities between these two excellent bands are striking; both led by a vocalist / organist, with similar throaty vocal quality, both featured brass sections and a famous (to be) guitarists (in the case of the Blue Flames it was no else than John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist). Most importantly both these ensembles were swinging like hell and had a strong Jazzy feel whatever they were doing.
In retrospect the music presented by the Box Set, although definitely "dated", still sounds absolutely fresh and inspiring. Yes, nobody plays like that anymore, and what a pity it is that they don´t. In spite of the seemingly naïve melodic structures, the music is full of clever hooks and twists, and the playing is simply superb from start to finish.
Beautifully remastered, accompanied by a book with background essays, interviews and many wonderful photographs, this Box Set is a treasure chest, like many similar compilations made by the German RepertoireFind albums on this label label, which specializes in reissues. I hope some younger listeners will reach out and give this music a listen, as it could be really enlightening, especially in view of what is considered as music today. To the people who remember this stuff from their youth, like yours truly, this is an absolute must and an invigorating reminder that music was fun a long, long time ago.
| | Updated: 08/05/2023Posted: 24/05/2018 | CD 4 Digibook Box Set Remastered Bonus Tracks Recommend To A Friend |
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