NYJO comes in for some stick from some quarters because of its policy of only playing original material and ignoring the big-band warhorses of yesteryear. But why bother cranking up once again the likes of Flyin’ Home and Shiny Stockings when composer Chris Smith can come up with such a splendid opening number as Luton Hoo? It grabs you right from the start and never lets go, the soloists maintaining the drive and excitement built up by the fiery ensembles.
Well, that track alone is worth the asking price of this latest album from NYJO with which it celebrates its 20th anniversary (see Richard Palmer’s article in JJI of May this year). There are, however, eight more titles worthy of your attention on this excellent album, which must rate as the best the orchestra has made so far.
Waltz For Duke is a composition which captures the mood and spirit of Duke Ellington’s music by skilfully voiced section work. Waiting For Morgan is a feature, in the main, for the brass section and composer and bass guitarist Paul Hart. Full Score spotlights pianist Dave Arch and tenorist David O’Higgins. The two musicians effect a gentle opening to a piece which contains a rich variety of textures from a full-throated orchestral shout to an unaccompanied tenor cadenza. John Smith’s dashing piano forms the centre-piece of Bud. The Latin-flavoured Midnight Newsroom is a pleasant number by Paul Higgs who, along with fellow flugelhorn player John Hinch, takes the solo honours. The exuberant Sea Beaver, which features the agile alto of Nigel Hitchcock and Dave Arch’s dynamic piano, reminds me very much of the rugged sound of the old Dizzy Gillespie Things To Come band. There are two vocal tracks on the album, London and A Lady Can Tell, the former sung by Ian Harrison and the latter by Helen Sorrell.
As I said, this is a superb album. If you enjoy big-band jazz which is melodically interesting, swings with the best of them and is laced with first class soloists, then this one’s for you.
Discography
Luton Hoo; Waltz For Duke; Waiting For Morgan; London (24.26) – Full Score; Bud; Midnight Newsroom; A Lady Can Tell; The Sea Beaver (24.12)
Russell Cooke, Andy Mitchell, Simon Barnes, Paul Higgs, John Hinch, Richard Sidwell (t/ flh); Fayyaz Virji, Mark Nightingale, Andy Hutchinson. Adrian Lane, Nigel Barr (tb); Nigel Hitchcock. Clifford Tracy, Clive Hitchcock, David O’Higgins. Simon Currie (reeds); Liz Price (frh); Julie Davis (f/picc); Dave Arch, John R.W.G. Smith (p); Chris Watson (g); Dave Hage, Paul Hart (elb); Mike Smith (d); Mike Bradley (d/perc); Helen Sorrell, Ian Harrison (v); Bill Ashton (md). London, January 20, 1985.
(NYJO NYG 005)
