Gerry Richardson (keyboards & vocals); Dave
Hignett & Mark Webb (trumpets); Garry Linsley (alto & tenor saxophones);
Stuart Johnson (tenor & soprano saxophones); Sue Ferris (baritone saxophone
& flute); Keith Norris & Rick Taylor (trombones); Rod Sinclair
(guitar); Neil Harland (electric bass); Paul Smith (drums); Liz Corney &
Lindsay Hannon (backing vocals)
(Review by Russell)
Hammond virtuoso Gerry Richardson has worked in music education for many
years and his Big Idea is heard rarely in concert. So Many Reasons is the band’s follow up CD to the live recording Cookin’ at the Cluny. This new release
of seven tracks arranged by the bandleader features the addition of versatile
bassist Neil Harland and backing vocalists
Lindsay Hannon and Liz Corney. The line-up boasts an array of
accomplished soloists and Altoist Garry Linsley steps up on the opening track So Many Reasons to set the tone; soul jazz anchored by Paul Smith’s metronomic drum patterns and the impressive backing vocals of Corney and Hannon. Rick Taylor makes a guest appearance on trombone and contributes some skanking work on Ska Odyssey. Sue Ferris, a fixture in the band’s reed section, impresses as flautist on Song of the Ferris.
Two covers - Gil Scott-Heron’s Lady Day and John Coltrane and Donald
Fagen’s What I Do - have been in the
pad for some time and it is good to hear them committed to CD. Tight
arrangements highlight excellent ensemble work and concise solo statements
(Richardson, Ferris and guitarist Rod Sinclair on the former, Richardson at the
piano on the latter). The down beat feel is exemplified on One Door Closes and Another Slams in Your Face with Linsley (alto)
and guitarist Sinclair laying down effective solos. The closing number - Between You and Me – features the
self-effacing Richardson on Hammond
Russell.
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