As in other countries that have supped from the originating US fermentation, jazz in its infinite variety in the UK has generally been more a delight for a minority audience than music for the masses. However, over the years key singers, musicians, band-leaders break into the mainstream. Smith&Co already has in catalogue authoritative 2CD retrospectives of Chris Barber Ken Colyer, Humphrey Lyttleton and Acker Bilk. Now followed by this second volume of Mr Barber’s outstanding contribution to the Brit music gumbo and a companion release celebrating the remarkable commercial success of Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen.
Still pumping and packing ‘em in at the grand old age of 83, trombonist, occasional random vocalist and inspirational bandleader Chris Barber is one of the outstanding (if often overlooked by Joe Public) movers & groovers in the UK jazz scene of the last 60 years. Originally inspired by US Dixieland and ragtime recordings he became a broad church guru; fundamental to the UK skiffle movement of the 1950s that sparked off many a beat group into 60s success; instrumental in helping to bring US bluesmen and jazz players to Europe; incorporating blues, gospel and broader forms of jazz into his repertoire. All of which is joyously evident in this second Smith&Co tribute to one of the UK’s premier jazzers
CD 1
1 Panama Rag 2 Keystone Blues 3 Everybody Loves My Baby 4 Big House Blues 5 Kay Cee Rider 6 Bogalusa Strut 7 Maple Leaf Rag 8 Georgia Grind 9 Here Comes My Blackbird 10 One Sweet Letter from You 11 Isle of Capri 12 Lonesome Road 13 Sweet Georgia Brown 14 Pound of Blues 15 Georgia Swing 16 Can't We Get Together 17 The Entertainer 18 Mood Indigo 19 April Showers 20 Just a Closer Walk With Thee
CD 2
1 I Love My Baby 2 I Can't Afford to Do It 3 Bugle Boy March 4 Ory's Creole Trombone 5 Georgia Cakewalk 6 Bill Bailey 7 Strange Things Happen Every Day 8 Give Me Your Telephone Number 9 On a Christmas Day 10 Bearcat Crawl 11 Yama Yama Man 12 It Looks Like a Big Time Tonight 13 Jeeps Blues 14 St. Georges Rag 15 Reindeer Ragtime Two Step 16 I Can't Give You Anything But Love 17 Just a Little While To Stay Here 18 Carolina Moon 19 Do What Ory Say 20 When the Saints Go marching In