The Kirchin Band featured the Mambo extensively on their Dance and Concert dates during the 1950s and the style became one of their trademarks. They don't disappoint here with two numbers raising the roof and played with much vigour, expertise and noise.
The names in the band, with a couple of exceptions, are not well known now but listen to how the trumpet section takes off with all of them hitting the high notes. The shadowy and legendary figure of Big Tarp is added to the section on 'Minor Mambo'. I wonder what happened to her?
Johnny Grant provides the vocals on the non-Mambo tracks. 'Mother Goose Jumps' is forgettable. It's one of those silly novelty numbers that the public seemed to like at that time. He sings the introduction to 'Lover....' in slow ballad style before the band blasts off once more.
The pianist is Johnny Patrick, who has had a long and illustrious career in the music business. I think he must have accompanied almost anyone of note in his 60 year+ career and I last saw him play a couple of years ago in a small Midlands market town when he was part of a lively local rhythm section backing Simon Spillett. He must have been almost 80 then (Johnny, not Simon). They don't make them like that anymore.
Ivor Kirchin - leader
Stan Palmer - trumpet
Murray Campbell - trumpet
Frank Donlan - trumpet
Norman Baron - trumpet
Big Tarp - trumpet
Brian Haydon - alto
Norman Hunt - tenor
Johnny Xerri - tenor
George Robinson - baritone
Johnny Patrick - piano
Ronnie Seabrook - bass
Basil Kirchin - drums
Ginger Johnson - bongos
Danny Johnson - conga drum
Johnny Grant - cowbell, vocal
01 Minor Mambo (Creaghan, Pin) (2:13)
02 Mother Goose Jumps (Burns, Stein, Herman) (2:23)
03 Mambo Nothing (Aldridge) (1:59)
04 Lover Come Back to Me (Romberg, Hammerstein) (2:26)
Label: Decca DFE 6237
Recorded: December 08 1954
Lineage: EP>FLAC
First off, many thanks for this post. It's a super record by any standards and a fine little find for BritJazz. Two points:
ReplyDelete1. "Big Tarp" was a pseudonym chosen by Ivor Kirchin for Bobby Pratt, who was contracted to Ted Heath;
2. It seems harsh to describe "Mother Goose Jumps" as "one of those silly novelty numbers . . . ". It's a cover of a 1950 Louis Jordan hit ("School Days") and a good one at that though the lyrics are slightly different. Jordan's jazz credentials need no endorsement from me, not to mention his skill and wit as a lyricist. Johnny Grant, whose obscurity is, well, not entirely undeserved, is at his best on this track.
Many thanks. By coincidence last night I'd queued their previous offering here (0055 - posted May 21 2010) to be played today so this will fit nicely.
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff. I have a cd of their recordings, a mix of swing, latin , and rock n'roll! The swing numbers are amazing. This "little" big band blew the roof off wherever it played.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. Thanks.
ReplyDeletemany thanks. not on CD elsewhere here which is still available from source Dutton/Vocalion at bargain price.
ReplyDeleteThanks bluebird
ReplyDeletehttps://cjoint.net/?hvw8vp7a2l
ReplyDelete