A small group album by Simon Spillett is always welcome and Up In Town is no exception.
Recorded live at Pizza Express last February it swings like so few bands do today - more's the pity. Post bop, hard bop, call it what you will. Me, I call it Music and the capital M is intentional!
Spillett, being the undisputed authority on Tubby Hayes (LINK), not surprisingly opted for tunes composed by Tubbs or that were associated with him. However, these are no mere cover versions but numbers selected on merit and suitability for this hard driving quartet. The leader's technique, like that of his mentor, is awesome despite his never having actually seen Hayes live. Nevertheless, he listened and learned - the flame is in safe hands.
For Members Only recorded by Hayes in 1967, opens with an explosive break by Cater that launches the leader into orbit. Several breakneck choruses later Barron picks up the baton and doesn't fumble with it. Sometimes fours work and sometimes they don't - this time around they do and the audience agreed!
A Pint of Bitter. Clark Terry composed this catchy tune for a 1961 session with Tubby and himself. Barron finds a gently swinging groove leading up to Spillett's entry. Dextrous tenor playing that incorporates some cleverly manipulated combinations of notes (in all the right places). Dankworth gets his round in leading to more exchanges 'twixt tenor and drums before 'time gentlemen please' is called.
Opus Ocean. Barron takes this second Terry composition at twice the speed of light, Spillett keeps it going - speed restrictions don't apply when he's got mouthpiece, reed and horn aligned. Barron returns for more fast fingering with Cater spurring him on and Dankworth putting callouses on the callouses followed by, guess what? More fours but I'm not complaining, they're good ones.
Grits, Beans, and Greens. From a 'lost' 1969 album by Hayes, this bluesy track is a feature for the rhythm section who give it a punchy workout with Cater putting the boot in.
Souriya. A ballad dedicated by Hayes to his wife that is simply beautiful. All four musicians pour their own hearts into the melody - perhaps thinking of their own wives/partners or if their car will still be there after the gig.
Don't Fall Off the Bridge. An earlier Hayes composition is another one that moves into F1 territory. Amazing how effortless it all seems. Big licks from Pete Cater who also produced the album for his mister PC label - 'PC' get it?
As well as the music, there's the stunning cover photo of Piccadilly (© The John Hinde Archive/Mary Evans Picture Library) and some excellent and informative liner notes from Alan Barnes.
Highly recommended. Lance
Ps: Album launch party at Pizza Express on Feb. 23.
No comments :
Post a Comment