Firstly, let's put this project into perspective. This isn't one of those Ray McVay plays Sid Lawrence plays Glenn Miller albums where the music is meticulously recreated as if Glenn had miraculously resurfaced from the English Channel. No, far from it.
Although this band of top-notchers are, in a sense, recreating the music of, arguably, the UK's greatest ever jazz musician, Tubby Hayes, Spillett hasn't rehashed numbers from Tubby's own big band albums such as Tubb's Tours and 100% Proof but, after much research, concentrated on charts that were only played on TV and BBC radio broadcasts which were never released commercially and only heard on bootleg tapes ("Psst wanna buy a rare Tubby Hayes tape? Only one in in existence yours for a monkey").
Fortunately, Spillett managed to track down these rare charts via Ian Hamer and, with the support of Pete Cater and Mark Nightingale, the music came to life and can now be heard in what is probably the most swinging British big band since well, maybe time began.
Dear Johnny B, named after former Emcee Five drummer Johnny Butts who died so tragically young (25), had been recorded by Hayes' quartet but never by his big band. Kicked off by Cater's drums there's mind-blowing solos by Mayne on alto and Fishwick on trumpet. This is but track one, I don't know if my adrenalin can cope with another eleven!
As Close as You Are is more relaxing with a nice easy, Basie-like swing. Spillett blows cool with Gavita going with the flow. Some fine basswork by Dankworth. His dad would have approved.
Take Your Partners For the Blues brings in Barnes for some biting baritone followed by Bateman on 'bone. Fishwick and Hogg swap phrases - Garnett and Allen do likewise with the band riffing away behind them.
Fish Soup, an Ian Hamer original (they don't write originals like these anymore!), has Simon Allen, Gavita and Barron putting their cards on the table - aces all.
Star Eyes, the only standard, is far removed from the usual ballad treatment given to this tune. Taken at a tempo verging on the speed limit it features Nightingale in full flight and what an arrangement!
Soft and Supple features Barnes, Gavita and Allen. I don't know who inspired the title but I'd love to have met her!
Rumpus lives up to its name. A crazy theme with Allen and Gavita giving it one and the band making Kenton sound like Guy Lombardo.
Peace, an arrangement by Tubby of a Horace Silver tune, features Fishwick and is dedicated by Spillett to his late partner Tina May.
Seven Steps to Heaven by an old buddy of Tubby's - Victor Feldman - has Gavita, Garnett, Barron and Cater struttin' their stuff.
Solweig eventually, has the leader swapping his conductor's baton for some lyrical blowing on tenor - nice...
Blues For Pipkins, named after Tubbs' then partner Joy Marshall - Pipkin being her middle name. Fishwick, Nightingale and Barron do the honours.
She Insulted me in Marrakech. On an album of quirky titles this one is the quirkiest of them all! It's also the belter thanks to Pete Long, Gavita and Cater's punchy drumming.
Magnificent! Well done all and, of course, Tubby Hayes. Lance
CD available from Mister PC Records, Bandcamp. Album launch on Dec. 11 @ 229 venue, Great Portland St.
Simon Spillett (MD, tenor sax); Sammy Mayne, Pete Long (alto sax, flute); Alex Garnett, Simon Allen (tenor sax, clarinet); Alan Barnes (baritone sax, bass clarinet); Nathan Bray, George Hogg, Freddie Gavita, Steve Fishwick (trumpet, flugel); Jon Stokes, Mark Nightingale, Ian Bateman (trombone); Pete North (bass trombone); Rob Barron (piano); Alec Dankworth (bass); Pete Cater (drums)
1 comment :
Great review, and bang on ! Incredible effort by Simon, Pete and Mark, not forgetting the other musicians in the band.
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