THE JAZZ COURIERS IN CONCERT featuring RONNIE SCOTT & TUBBY HAYES
Music For Pleasure MFP 1072 Released 1966
Tubby Hayes (tnr, vbs) Ronnie Scott (tnr) Terry Shannon (pno) Phil Bates (bs) BillEyden (drs)
Recorded 16th February 1958
Side 1 What Is This Thing Called Love 5m 50s, Some Of My Best Friends Are Blues 4m 55s, The Serpent 7m 50s.
Side 2 Guys And Dolls 8m 15s, Time Was 3m 45s, Speak Low 3m 45s, Cheek To Cheek 5m 45s.
This legendary album, which is a coveted procession by legions of jazz fans, and labeled by many as one of the great classics of British jazz, was recorded live at The Dominion Theater in Tottenham Court Road London on 16th February 1958. It was first released on the Tempo record label soon after the performance and preceded a number of re- issues including this one that came about eight years later on EMI's budget "Music For Pleasure" output for the princely sum of twelve and sixpence. "The Couriers" as they were known only lasted three years from their debut at The Flamingo club on 7th April 1957 to their disbandment in August 1959. The band made four albums during this time, performed regularly around the country and on BBC television. At 31 years of age Ronnie Scott was just about to open his first jazz club at 39 Gerrard Street, now affectionately known as "The Old Place"and Tubby, only 23, was on his way to becoming a world renowned saxophonist. It was generally said by many (mostly visiting American musicians) that British rhythm sections were not up to much at the time, maybe so, but on this occasion they sounded fine with Bill Eyden driving the band on from the drum chair in the up tempo numbers, bass man Phil Bates keeping a rock steady pulse, although on some numbers he is too far back in the mix and Terry Shannon offering fine support to the saxes while also making a huge contribution to the band with a number of well considered and inventive solo passages.
The album itself has a great live atmosphere generated by an enthusiastic London crowd alongside Ronnie's dry humour ie: "This one is from the album Elvis Presley sings the Thelonious Monk Song Book" etc etc. Things open at breakneck speed, as they often did on small group dates of the time, on a uproarious version of Cole Porter's What Is This Thing Called Love with both saxophonists exercising their considerable chops and Terry Shannon making the most of Tubby's fine arrangement. Ronnie Scott was not a prolific composer, but Some Of My Best Friends Are Blues is a fine piece in the twelve bar mode of the genre with Tubbs on vibes, Ronnie taking a great solo and Terry Shannon's performance on piano being described by producer Tony Hall, as "One of the best ever recorded by a British pianist ". The Serpent is perhaps the standout track of the whole album with a strong soulful, yet joyous theme composed and beautifully played by Tubby as a tribute to Bix Curtis, a compere at the legendary Flamingo Club. Side two gets underway with frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls from the Broadway musical of 1950. This is a real crowd pleaser, with high powered solos from both saxes and a calming piano interlude during its eight minute duration. Time Was and Kurt Weill's classic Speak Low are showcase pieces for the two leaders, firstly Tubby shows his easy mastery of the vibes in a Latin tinged exploration on a rare airing of the somewhat neglected tune by the Cuban composer Perez Prado before Ronnie shows unusual restraint and great lyricism, hitting just the right groove on one of the finest ballad pieces from the German master. Its an almost obligatory flag waving finish to the set with Irving Berlin's Cheek To Cheek providing the vehicle for both horns on their high speed chase through a tune that in fact lends itself to successful interpretations in any number of tempos.
In summary, this is an extremely engaging and entertaining album, with for the greater part, a high level of musicianship and most importantly, it defiantly stands the test of time.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
Music For Pleasure MFP 1072 Released 1966
Tubby Hayes (tnr, vbs) Ronnie Scott (tnr) Terry Shannon (pno) Phil Bates (bs) BillEyden (drs)
Recorded 16th February 1958
Side 1 What Is This Thing Called Love 5m 50s, Some Of My Best Friends Are Blues 4m 55s, The Serpent 7m 50s.
Side 2 Guys And Dolls 8m 15s, Time Was 3m 45s, Speak Low 3m 45s, Cheek To Cheek 5m 45s.
This legendary album, which is a coveted procession by legions of jazz fans, and labeled by many as one of the great classics of British jazz, was recorded live at The Dominion Theater in Tottenham Court Road London on 16th February 1958. It was first released on the Tempo record label soon after the performance and preceded a number of re- issues including this one that came about eight years later on EMI's budget "Music For Pleasure" output for the princely sum of twelve and sixpence. "The Couriers" as they were known only lasted three years from their debut at The Flamingo club on 7th April 1957 to their disbandment in August 1959. The band made four albums during this time, performed regularly around the country and on BBC television. At 31 years of age Ronnie Scott was just about to open his first jazz club at 39 Gerrard Street, now affectionately known as "The Old Place"and Tubby, only 23, was on his way to becoming a world renowned saxophonist. It was generally said by many (mostly visiting American musicians) that British rhythm sections were not up to much at the time, maybe so, but on this occasion they sounded fine with Bill Eyden driving the band on from the drum chair in the up tempo numbers, bass man Phil Bates keeping a rock steady pulse, although on some numbers he is too far back in the mix and Terry Shannon offering fine support to the saxes while also making a huge contribution to the band with a number of well considered and inventive solo passages.
The album itself has a great live atmosphere generated by an enthusiastic London crowd alongside Ronnie's dry humour ie: "This one is from the album Elvis Presley sings the Thelonious Monk Song Book" etc etc. Things open at breakneck speed, as they often did on small group dates of the time, on a uproarious version of Cole Porter's What Is This Thing Called Love with both saxophonists exercising their considerable chops and Terry Shannon making the most of Tubby's fine arrangement. Ronnie Scott was not a prolific composer, but Some Of My Best Friends Are Blues is a fine piece in the twelve bar mode of the genre with Tubbs on vibes, Ronnie taking a great solo and Terry Shannon's performance on piano being described by producer Tony Hall, as "One of the best ever recorded by a British pianist ". The Serpent is perhaps the standout track of the whole album with a strong soulful, yet joyous theme composed and beautifully played by Tubby as a tribute to Bix Curtis, a compere at the legendary Flamingo Club. Side two gets underway with frank Loesser's Guys and Dolls from the Broadway musical of 1950. This is a real crowd pleaser, with high powered solos from both saxes and a calming piano interlude during its eight minute duration. Time Was and Kurt Weill's classic Speak Low are showcase pieces for the two leaders, firstly Tubby shows his easy mastery of the vibes in a Latin tinged exploration on a rare airing of the somewhat neglected tune by the Cuban composer Perez Prado before Ronnie shows unusual restraint and great lyricism, hitting just the right groove on one of the finest ballad pieces from the German master. Its an almost obligatory flag waving finish to the set with Irving Berlin's Cheek To Cheek providing the vehicle for both horns on their high speed chase through a tune that in fact lends itself to successful interpretations in any number of tempos.
In summary, this is an extremely engaging and entertaining album, with for the greater part, a high level of musicianship and most importantly, it defiantly stands the test of time.
Reviewed by Jim Burlong
