JJ 07/59: Chris Barber: Chris Barber Jazz Parade, Volume One

    First published in Jazz Journal, July 1959

    3685

    Offhand, I can’t think of any Barber recording that I actually dislike. Always, with Chris, there is a light, attractive swing, and the airy overall band-sound is invariably well-seasoned by Pat Halcox’s very hot tone and tight, stomping phrases.

    This EP spans three years, bringing back four of the band’s biggest successes (financial) from the period 1955-1956. Naturally, the charming but trivial “Fleur” is included. “High Society” and “Trombone” are good tracks, though Ottilie sounds uncomfortable with the lyrics on the latter. “Rufus” is a tune I have never cared for—with its corny ragtime melody it deserves to be placed alongside “Twelfth Street Rag” in the jazz dustbin.

    With all those excellent LPs to choose from I can’t see any serious jazz lover bothering with this.
    Tony Standish

    Discography
    (a) Petite Fleur; (b) High Society (c) Whlstlin’ Rufus; (d) Trombone Cholly
    (a) Monty Sunshine (clt); Dick Smith (bs); Dickie Bishop (bj and g); Ron Bowden (d). 10/10/56.
    (b) Chris Barber (tbn); Sunshine (clt): Pat Halcox (tpt); Lonnie Donegan (bj): Jim Bray (bs); Ron Bowden (d). 18/3/55.
    (c) as (b) but Micky Ashman replaces Bray. 20/3/56.
    (d) as (c) but Eddie Smith (bj); Dick Smith (bs); Graham Burbidge (d) replace Donegan, Ashman and Bowden; Ottilie Paterson (vcl). 23/1/58.
    Pye NJE 1068. EP. 12s. 3d.