This is the time of year when BritJazz lets it’s hair down, or what is
left of it, and submits for your delight a selection of music to sooth,
excite or just irritate you. The boundaries of jazz are also stretched,
sometimes to twanging point, and liberties are taken in all sorts of
subtle and not so subtle ways. Some of these you will never notice.
There are two parts. The first being the ‘boy’ singers, as they used to
be known back in the big band days and the second the ‘girl’ singers who
are in a more reflective mood.
This year is no exception and a
selection of ‘Songs For Christmas’ is presented for your post- prandial
enjoyment. BritJazz has no objection if you want to sing along but draws
the line at printing out the lyrics as seen on many of the popular cd
issues today. Who cares? Does anybody read them?
But this selection
is not what it might seem at first glance. No Ho Ho Ho, nary a jingle
bell, not even a sprig of holly, just a selection of songs by people you
know, people you thought might be dead and some you will never even
have heard of. And some good jazz too. You might even be encouraged to
seek out the cds from which these songs were drawn. So, get a glass or
something or dig out your other intoxicants (legal or otherwise), sit
back and enjoy.
Vinyl – by Georgie Fame
Georgie is best known for his R & B work but he is a jazzer at heart. Remember his outings with the Harry South Big Band?
Here
he is at Ronnie’s in November 1995 with a super band including Guy
Barker, Alan Skidmore, Guy Barker and Peter King generating some heat.
For good measure, Georgie’s two sons are on guitar and drums. Solos by
Anthony Kerr and Peter King.
Billie Holiday – by Frank Holder
Frank
goes back to 1952 when he sang with the Dankworth band and he has had a
long and very successful career in music but not always in jazz. This
hypnotic and haunting tribute to Billie recorded in 2000 was written by
Duncan Lamont who also solos on tenor sax. Frank is still singing at the
age of 89.
Bobby Breen – Route 66
Not a good choice of song
when you have a lisp but Bobby never seemed to care about small matters
like that. This was the 1963 Christmas recording for BBC Jazz Club by
the Chris Barber band. Bobby guested for a couple of songs and other
guests included Joe Harriott. Bobby died in 1972 aged 45.
Ian Shaw – Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
There
are not many male jazz singers working in the UK but Ian is one of
them… and the best. Guitar solo is by Paul Stacey on this jaunty version
of ‘Devil’ from 1995.
Jackson Sloan – Devil May Care
I’d
never heard of Jackson Sloan but was attracted by the presence of the
musicians who play here. People like Dick Morrissey, Peter King and
Dick Pearce. Snowboy is also here. I may be old but I’m hip enough to
know who Snowboy is. How about you? Bob Dorough wrote the song. How
about Mr. Sloan? A bit like my old Grandad singing in the bath. But the
music is great. Go, Snowboy. Sounds like Miles is in town too. Jimmy
Deuchar did the arrangements.
Dennis Lotis – No Such Thing As Love
Dennis
must be at least 120 years old. He seems to have been around forever
but he gave up singing in 2005 aged 80. Here he is in 1999 with just a
pianist, Brian Dee, another veteran. Dennis knows his vocal limitations
and performs well within them here in this Tony Newley song.
Vince Hill – How Do You Keep The Music Playing?
Remember
Vince from your 1960s days? What a super song by Michel Legrand and
the Bergmans, beautifully sung with Laurie Johnson’s London Big Band in
1996. And that gorgeous trumpet work is by Kenny Baker. Vince is still
around, aged 77, but I’m not sure if he’s still singing.
Gina Harkell – Did You See Her Smile?
A
new singer for me. This lovely song is by Bill Frisell and Gina wrote
the words. Piano is by Tim Lapthorn and the vibes solo is by Anthony
Kerr. The song, recorded in 2004, is a love story of a different kind
and not what you might think. It’s all about the relationship between a
mother and her teenage daughter. Been there, done that.
Elaine Delmar – Halcyon Days
Wow,
we are certainly producing some really super songs in this female
section of the Christmas special. This was written by Duncan Lamont and
the pianist is Brian Dee and the singer is that all time favourite,
Elaine Delmar. Just listen to the words and the way she handles them. It
doesn’t get any better than this.
Annie Ross – Ev’rytime
Annie
is accompanied by the Modern Jazz Quartet with Blossom Dearie subbing
for John Lewis back in 1952. Annie, now 84, is still performing.
Should we have mentioned her age? Will she mind?
Sandra King – Autumn In New York
Sandra
is a Brit now living and working in the States. She’s not terribly well
known here and only has a handful of recordings to her name. This is
from a concert recorded in Washington in 1982, where she is accompanied
by her Musical Director, pianist Pat Smythe (another Brit) with Tommy
Cecil on bass.
I must have heard hundreds of versions of this song
over the years but I think this is the definitive one, complete with
verse. It really does send shivers up my spine. It’s taken at such a
slow tempo that it gives you the opportunity to hear and appreciate the
words and Sandra’s perfect delivery, not forgetting Pat Smythe’s piano
contributions. Great recording too. Go on, play it again.
Claire Martin – It’s Always 4 a.m.
Claire
is one of our best-loved singers and here she delivers a little known
Sammy Cahn and Ray Anthony song recorded in 1991. Jonathan Gee is the
pianist.
Alison Dewar – Solitary Moon
Alison is from Oz but
she lives and works here so we will give her temporary citizenship just
for this Christmas. Nice song by Johnny Mandel and the Bergmans and not
too well known. Recorded in 2007 with Graham Harvey on piano amongst
others. It has a sexy, moody, late night feel to it. Julie London might
have sung this to good effect. Great cover pic of Miss Dewar on the
sleeve but I’m keeping that to myself. You’ll have to buy the cd.
Rosemary Squires – Swinging On A Star
Another
veteran singer (I won’t mention her age this time) singing with the BBC
Big Band and The Girl Choristers of Salisbury Cathedral (yes, really)
and recorded in the Cathedral in 1994. It’s a very silly song.
The
girls are really up for it with their DooWops and OoohAas just like
proper backing singers. What the Bishop thought about it all we’ll never
know.
Anyway, BritJazz managed to persuade the Bishop to say a
few words after the performance and give the Christmas message to all
our loyal followers before he had to rush off to another important
engagement.
MERRY CHRISTMAS – KEEP MUSIC LIVE – BUY CDS – SUPPORT THE MUSICIANS
