LIVE FROM BAND ON THE WALL - Various Artists
Band On The Wall BOTW002
This is the second fundraiser release from the famous Manchester club during the Covid-19 pandemic. All the proceeds will be split 50/50 between the club and the artists. The multi award winning music club on Swan Street has been hosting the cream of jazz, blues and folk musicians in the old George and Dragon building since at least the beginning of the last century. Extensively refurbished in 2009 it remains the go-to venue for music lovers from the North West and from other locations far and wide.
There are ten internationally renowned bands, recorded live from the club over the generous 78 minute playing time of this disc. The atmosphere which is almost electric throughout, is extremely well captured and the range of music wide enough to satisfy most fans who enjoy the sounds of today's forward looking bands. There is an extended eleven minute performance of Strawman from Snarky Puppy, the Brooklyn based super group, who for many years have been one of the World's most successful crossover bands. Gregory Porter adds his unique voice and styling to the classic On My Way To Harlem first recorded back in 1960, while the classy Azymuth remind us of Chick Corea's early electric bands on Club Morocco. Blending a folksy vocal with jazz harmonies is the highly impressive singer/songwriter from Gibraltar, Kirsty Almeida with Cool Down Rewind which contrasts well with Bob Mintzer's fiery straight ahead tenor saxophone during the Yellow Jackets rendering of Why Is It. The Norwegian keyboard artist, composer and record label owner Bugge Wesseltoft plays some great acoustic piano on the ballad like Singing, perhaps the stand out track of the compilation, while the remaining artists, Jazzanova, Dele Sosimi, Charles Bradley and Hafdis Huld add their considerable talents to an entertaining and worthwhile album. You can read about the club, it's history and current activities at www.bandonthewall.org.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
Band On The Wall BOTW002
This is the second fundraiser release from the famous Manchester club during the Covid-19 pandemic. All the proceeds will be split 50/50 between the club and the artists. The multi award winning music club on Swan Street has been hosting the cream of jazz, blues and folk musicians in the old George and Dragon building since at least the beginning of the last century. Extensively refurbished in 2009 it remains the go-to venue for music lovers from the North West and from other locations far and wide.
There are ten internationally renowned bands, recorded live from the club over the generous 78 minute playing time of this disc. The atmosphere which is almost electric throughout, is extremely well captured and the range of music wide enough to satisfy most fans who enjoy the sounds of today's forward looking bands. There is an extended eleven minute performance of Strawman from Snarky Puppy, the Brooklyn based super group, who for many years have been one of the World's most successful crossover bands. Gregory Porter adds his unique voice and styling to the classic On My Way To Harlem first recorded back in 1960, while the classy Azymuth remind us of Chick Corea's early electric bands on Club Morocco. Blending a folksy vocal with jazz harmonies is the highly impressive singer/songwriter from Gibraltar, Kirsty Almeida with Cool Down Rewind which contrasts well with Bob Mintzer's fiery straight ahead tenor saxophone during the Yellow Jackets rendering of Why Is It. The Norwegian keyboard artist, composer and record label owner Bugge Wesseltoft plays some great acoustic piano on the ballad like Singing, perhaps the stand out track of the compilation, while the remaining artists, Jazzanova, Dele Sosimi, Charles Bradley and Hafdis Huld add their considerable talents to an entertaining and worthwhile album. You can read about the club, it's history and current activities at www.bandonthewall.org.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
