Record Reviews
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  | ROGER CHAPMAN ~ CHAPPO / LIVE IN HAMBURG
BGO 824 (Barcode: 5017261208248) ~ UK ~ Classic Rock
Recorded: 1979 Released: 2008
1st and 2nd albums by UK singer Roger ChapmanFind albums by this artist, recorded following the demise of FamilyFind albums by this artist and later StreetwalkersFind albums by this artist, the two bands he led since the late 1960s and up to the late 1970s. Chapman´s decision to go solo was a logical move following his experiences with bands, which failed to gain large following, despite the fact that they played some of the best music recorded in the 1970s, both Prog and later Classic Rock. He was at the top of his vocal powers and idiosyncratic showmanship and unique throaty voice had no equals, neither at the time nor later. Chapman selected an excellent band to accompany him on his debut studio album, which included Henry SpinnettiFind albums by this artist on drums, Geoff WhitehornFind albums by this artist on guitar and the legendary Brian OdgersFind albums by this artist on bass. Ex-Family cohort Poly PalmerFind albums by this artist also participated on several tracks. Following the release of the studio album Chapman formed a touring band, christened ShortlistFind albums by this artist, which included some of the musicians who played on the studio album and added Ex-King CrimsonFind albums by this artist saxophonist Mel CollinsFind albums by this artist, which was recorded live in Germany a few month later and released as the second album. Both albums absolutely kick butt are superb examples of Classic Rock, even when recorded relatively late, when Rock was already dying. Chapman still enjoys quite a lot of popularity, especially in Europe, and continues to perform and record. For his fans these albums are an absolute must!
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  | JOHN DANKWORTH ~ WHAT THE DICKENS! / OFF DUTY!
VOCALLION 8491 (Barcode: 765387849122) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1963 - 1969 Released: 2012
This is a most welcome reissue of two albums recorded in the 1960s by saxophonist / composer / bandleader John DankworthFind albums by this artist and his orchestra. Considered a Godfather of the British Jazz scene, Dankworth managed to keep his orchestra going for decades, composing, arranging and recording some remarkable music on the way. As these two albums (recorded six years apart) show, Dankworth was always up to date with recent developments in Jazz and was open minded enough to incorporate them into his music. He also had a great ear as to finding the best players and his orchestra always exploded with talent.
"What The Dickens!Find albums with this title" comprises of fifteen original compositions by Dankworth, all inspired by characters from the novels written by Charles Dickens. The compositions are all absolutely lovely and the orchestra performs them splendidly with grace, elegance and incredible Jazz feel. The best British Jazz musicians appear as guest soloist on this album and they include such superb players as saxophonists Tubby HayesFind albums by this artist, Dick MorrisseyFind albums by this artist, Peter KingFind albums by this artist, Ronnie ScottFind albums by this artist and Tony CoeFind albums by this artist. Trumpeter Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist was a member of the orchestra at the time. This is some of the best orchestrated Jazz ever recorded and the finesse of these sounds is still nothing less of amazing.
"Off Duty!", which was recorded by the end of the 1960s, when Jazz-Rock was already a significant part of the British scene, finds Dankworth and his orchestra playing both his original music (three of the twelve tracks are his compositions) as well as his arrangements of standards and (then) contemporary Pop material, played with a much more Jazz-Rock oriented edge than his earlier "pure" Jazz recordings. The orchestra includes keyboardist Laurie HollowayFind albums by this artist and two brilliant bassists: Herbie FlowersFind albums by this artist and Brian OdgersFind albums by this artist, who give it a brand new sound with a lot of Funk and simply delicious bass lines. The atmosphere is of course much more relaxed and entertaining, but the music, arrangements and performances are stellar.
Beautifully remastered by Michael J. DuttonFind albums by this artist this reissue offers great glimpses of the past glory of the British Jazz in general and Dankworth´s contribution in particular. Like good wine, this music gets better with time and manages to stay relevant. Recommended, especially for lovers of the Jazz Big Band / Orchestra sound, which appears here at its full grandeur!
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  | GEORGIE FAME ~ RIGHT NOW! / THAT`S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR / CLOSING THE GAP
BGO 1533 (Barcode: 5017261215338) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Pop Fusion
Recorded: 1978 - 1980 Released: 2024
This is a reissue / remaster 2CD album by British vocalist / organist / songwriter Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, my favorite British vocalist of all time. It includes Fame’s three UK albums released originally on the PyeFind albums on this label label, all recorded between 1978 and 1980. This album offers an excellent sound quality thanks to the careful remastering.
Fame, who managed to develop a stellar career very early in his life, made a consistent transformation from a Pop and Rhythm And Blues artists into a full-fledged Jazz artist later on in his career and recorded an astonishing legacy of superb albums over the years. These tracks clearly show the direction and the strong Jazz influence which was a part of his music from the very start, and are a wonderful trip down the memory lane. Fame was always a sublime songweaver and his original material sounds today every bit as strong as it did almost sixty years ago. He was also a very gifted organist and his organ solos were a part of his irresistible charm.
On the first two albums, which present mostly original songs by Fame, he is supported by a fabulous team of British Jazz musicians, which include bassist Brian OdgersFind albums by this artist, trumpeter Henry LowtherFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Ray WarleighFind albums by this artist, trombonist Malcolm GriffithsFind albums by this artist and others. On the third album, which was a rather unusual attempt to embrace Reggae elements, he is accompanied by the Reggae Philharmonic OrchestraFind albums by this artist, which was an ensemble of local Reggae musicians.
Overall, this is a superb collection of early and sadly almost completely forgotten Georgie Fame recordings, which sounds as good as it did almost half a Century ago. Fame’s unique vocals, Jazzy phrasing and incredible melodic sensibilities managed to create an enchanting sound, which to this day remains unbeaten by any of his successors.
| | Updated: 10/12/2024Posted: 10/12/2024 | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend |
  | GEORGIE FAME ~ SEVENTH SON / GOING HOME
BGO 700 (Barcode: 5017261207005) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1969 - 1971 Released: 2008
Contrary to what most people know about singer / songwriter / keyboards player Georgie FameFind albums by this artist, his true aspiration was always to sing Jazz. Although he arrived on the British scene in the mid-1960s as a Pop singer, with several singles charting over the years, pretty soon he decided that a Pop idol was the last thing he wanted to be and moved away from the Pop image as fast as he could. By the end of the 1960s Fame was already singing in front of Jazz bands and his self-penned material had a distinctive Jazzy feel.
This album includes two of Fame’s LPs recorded in 1969 and 1971 respectively, both great examples of his great sensitivity and musicality. On Seventh SonFind albums with this title he is supported by a dreamy Jazz band, which includes such illustrious players as Art ThemenFind albums by this artist, Stan SultzmannFind albums by this artist (saxophone), Derek WatkinsFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Chris PyneFind albums by this artist (trombone), Brian OdgersFind albums by this artist (bass) and John MarshallFind albums by this artist (drums), who play some outstanding solos. The album was produce by Fame’s friend Alan PriceFind albums by this artist, another Pop star with Jazz inspirations.
On Going HomeFind albums with this title the supporting band is the Keith MansfieldFind albums by this artist orchestra, another quite jazzy outfit, which played for example behind Maynard FergusonFind albums by this artist, when he lived and recorded in Britain at the same period. Although perhaps only marginally Jazz, these two albums are a great example of the openness the music industry was willing to extend towards the artists, who wanted to do “their own thing”, something that lasted for a very brief period of time.
Fame’s worm tone and great feel for the music are definitely worth a recollection and this album is a great trip down the memory lane. Probably for people in the autumn years, like myself, but still great fun.
| | Updated: 10/04/2020Posted: | CD 1 Slipcase Remastered 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 |
  | MICHAEL GIBBS ~ MICHAEL GIBBS / TANGLEWOOD 63
VOCALION 4253 (Barcode: 765387425326) ~ UK ~ Jazz
Recorded: 1969 - 1970 Released: 2005
Composer / arranger / bandleader / trombonist Michael GibbsFind albums by this artist was born in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). In his early twenties he moved to the US, where he studied both Jazz and Classical music at the Berklee College of Music, the Boston Conservatory and the Tanglewood Institute, where he studied with renowned classical composers Aaron CoplandFind albums by this artist and Lukas FossFind albums by this artist. In 1965 Gibbs settled in London and immediately was absorbed into the burgeoning local Jazz scene, first as a trombonist, and later when he stopped to play the instrument, as a composer, arranger and bandleader. Over the years he assembled an impressive body of work as a composer, which has been considered as some of the most innovative and daring forays into the fusion of Classical, Jazz and Rock. He recorded many of his compositions using large ensembles, which comprised of the best British and later also European Jazz musicians, all of which are considered masterpieces. He also composed music for cinema and created many incredible arrangements for albums in the Rock and Jazz areas. This album combines his two first albums, composed for and performed by huge ensembles including brass, string and rhythm sections and including around 30 musicians. The names of the participants resemble the “who’s who” of the British Jazz scene at the time and the main soloists are: Chris SpeddingFind albums by this artist, Ray RussellFind albums by this artist (guitar), Kenny WheelerFind albums by this artist (trumpet), Alan SkidmoreFind albums by this artist, John SurmanFind albums by this artist, Mike OsborneFind albums by this artist (sax), Gordon BeckFind albums by this artist (piano), Jack BruceFind albums by this artist, Brian OdgersFind albums by this artist (bass), Tony OxleyFind albums by this artist, John MarshallFind albums by this artist (drums) and many more. The music is quite incredible of course, very difficult to classify, as it flows between genres and musical landscapes disregarding any preconceptions. Gibbs is a master at creating an internal tension in his scores, which is often expressed by the role the brass and rhythm sections play against each other, with the brass section representing the jazzy elements and the rhythm section (especially the guitar) the rock elements. The music is often contemplative and moves slowly, similarly to many of the modern Classical music pieces, influenced obviously by the composer’s teachers and resembling sometimes even the work of Philip GlassFind albums by this artist. Definitely not easy listening, but a highly rewarding intellectual experience. For the lack of a better alternative I’ve decided to classify it under Jazz, but this music is truly beyond classification and constitutes a class of its own. Fascinating!
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  | TIR NA NOG ~ A TEAR AND A SMILE / STRONG IN THE SUN
BGO 653 (Barcode: 5017261206534) ~ IRELAND ~ Folk-Rock
Recorded: 1972 - 1973 Released: 2004
2nd and 3rd album by Irish Folk-Rock duo Tir Na NogFind albums by this artist, one of the finest representatives of the genre, although little known and often neglected by fans and critics alike. Sonny CondellFind albums by this artist and Leo O´KellyFind albums by this artist had between them everything needed to create great music – they were both good songwriters, each played several instruments and their vocal harmonies were second to none. Following the release of their eponymous debut album in 1971, which was basically recorded by the duo without help from any additional musicians, they changed the approach slightly for their next two albums, using great studio players to expand the sound and even added some string arrangements to create a full-fledged Prog / Folk sound and feel. Some of the players involved include legendary bassist Brian OdgersFind albums by this artist and Procol HarumFind albums by this artist keyboardist Matthew FisherFind albums by this artist. Both these albums stand the test of time splendidly, remaining as minor masterpieces of the genre. Sadly with the change of the musical and social climate in Britain by the mid-1970s the group fell victim to the music market realities and disbanded, never to record again. This reissue brings back to life an essential piece of the Folk-Rock puzzle, which remained hidden for decades. A must to all Folk-Rock enthusiasts!
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