CD Review: Red Hot Mama by The Rhythm Boys featuring Spats Langham

Mike Durham (tpt); Paul Munnery (tmb); Matthias Seuffert or Norman Field (reeds); Tom 'Spats' Langham (vcl, gtr, bjo, uke); Martin Litton or Keith Nichols (pno); J.C.Hallam (bs) or Frans Sjostrom (bs sax); Nick Ward (dms).

I'm a firm believer that one should never judge a book (or a CD) by its cover. However, this Dave Kerr designed piece of decorative art almost caused me to make this an exception! When I saw the list of titles (mainly lesser known songs from the 1920's to the 1940's) I suspected I was in for an audio treat as well as a visual one - I wasn't disappointed.

John Carstairs Hallam and Mike Durham, who produced the album as well as playing trumpet, are local musicians whilst the others appear on both sides of the River Tyne with an amazing regularity.

Spats himself is a fine megaphonic type vocalist and he does full justice to the tunes as well as contributing to the 'string section' with Eddie Langish guitar and nods towards Cliff 'Ukulele Ike' Edwards.

The other soloists fit perfectly into the genre with Matthias outstanding.

Red Nichols, the California Ramblers and a host of other twenties/thirties bands are brought to life in this delightful time capsule and if there is one tune (truthfully there are 18 of them!) that does it for me it's Can't We Talk It Over. A tune that I've loved ever since the day, many years ago, that I came across it on a flexible 78rpm disc by the Durium Dance Band. A Victor Young/Ned Washington tune - need I say more?

This CD is due out on Dec 10 - click on photo for details.

Lance.

PS: For maximum enjoyment wear your two tone brogues and, afterwards, go for a spin in a Flivver with a Red Hot Mama of your acquaintance...