Review Centre: Bands & Ensembles

"We would just like to express our sincere thanks to you and your colleagues on the professional and excellent entertainment you provided on this special day. We have had many comments since Friday on your music and how discreetly you fitted your arrangements to the events of the day. We wish you continued success and once again very many thanks, "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Packed house last night. Thank you The Pop Pickers."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Booked the band for my 40th birthday party. They made contact with me before the event to discuss the music I liked and sent me playlist examples. On the evening they were perfect, played a good mix and had everyone dancing. Would recommend"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Brilliant band! Awesome music! You got everyone dancing! Thanks for everything."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We booked Audio Riot last minute for our wedding after our band had to pull out due to covid. Feel like it was meant to be as we are so glad that we had these guys. The communication from Ian right from the beginning, before the day and then through the day was great. That aside, they are definitely a party band which is what we wanted. Ian is definitely a performer - we had a crowd that liked to be up dancing however he was amazing at getting everyone going."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We have seen you on all 3 of our last cruises and enjoyed every minute of it. Kelly's singing is so versatile and Graham's acoustic set is to die for. Such a shame that you aren't on Ambience for our next cruise in June. Anyone who has yet to see you is in for a treat"

Reply by 'It Takes 2' Acoustic/Electric duo
Thank you so much for the lovely review ? We are very grateful. Kelly & Grayo xx

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Lucy performed everything from our ceremony music to the evening and it was absolutely incredible and loved by all! Any request was never too much to do and her personal music we loved! Everyone at the wedding said we nailed our music choice! If I could do it all again, Lucy and her band would be booked again and again.."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A great performance guys! Thank you. Feedback from the guests was very complimentary. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Sophie was the perfect professional. She communicated well before the performance to make sure that she had all of the information she needed. Arrived early to ensure that she was set up on time and her singing was flawless. Everyone was asking where we had booked her from and could not believe how young she is to have such a mature voice. Well done Sophie and good luck with your future career!!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We would like to send a big thank you for such great entertainment at my son's wedding. You were fantastic and we have had so many comments on your great performance. The disco in the evening was perfect and you got most people up which was some feat! We are going to try and see again when we can focus 100% on you! The wedding day went so fast and I know we missed a lot, everyone has commented on a great day and thank you for being part of it. P.S. You got my husband's Italian aunt up to sing and that made her day, in fact I think she now wants to do duets with you!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"REVIEW OF OUR LATEST CD ALBUM IN JAZZ JOURNAL Kit Packham’s One Jump Ahead: Everybody Loves A Boogie The entertaining British jump-jive revival band ploughs the familiar furrow, offering cheeky covers and originals with occasional solos By Hugh Rainey -13 October 2023437 Formed in 1984, this UK group plays jump-jive in a bright and breezy, entertaining style, blended with R&B and vintage rock and roll, and seasoned with light-hearted humour. Leader Kit Packham sings confidently in appropriate style on every track bar one, and contributes alto and tenor to the backing throughout. Packham also composed and wrote the lyrics for eight of the tracks and alternative lyrics for some cheeky adaptations of standards – My Swingin’ Valentine (an upbeat treatment of My Funny Valentine, which surprisingly works quite well) and the very funny Basingstoke (to the melody of Baby Face) and Buy A CD (with appropriate uninhibited bathos to My Way). On the whole, the originals work well for the genre. Love Me, Love My Saxophone and I Dig Potatoes have amusing lyrics somewhat reminiscent of Louis Jordan and Slim Gaillard in style. Enjoyable versions of Don’t Get Around Much Any More, Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby and My Swingin’ Valentine, come closest to straightforward jazz treatment with some worthwhile brief solos and touches of arrangement. The tracks come from sessions in 2009, 2017 and 2023, mainly as six or seven piece lineups it seems, but with changing personnels. Though studio recorded, the CD comes across as cheery live entertainment – for dancers, rather than perhaps for close, serious listening. But it’s certainly good fun, with some inventive fresh material, and a sense of humour to give a welcome lift to your spirits in these troubled times. Discography Everybody Loves A Boogie; Don’t Clap On The First Beat Of The Bar; Old Rock “n” Roll Songs Never Die; Don’t Get Around Much Any More; Love Me, Love My Saxophone; Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby; Route 66; Alley Club Blues; As Time Goes By; Alright, OK, You Win; Lockdown Chase; My Swingin’ Valentine; I Dig Potatoes; Basingstoke; Buy A CD; We Had A Real Good Time/We’ll Meet Again (53.52) Collectively: Kit Packham (v, ts, as, bar, cl); Nick Tomalin, Perry White (p); John O’Reilly (g); Steve Knight (g, ts, bj); Alex Keen, Ollie Blanchflower (b); Derek Gayle, Kenrick Rowe (d); Simon Da Silva (t); Tracey Mendham (ts, cl). UK, 2009, 2017, 2023 (No further details.) Pelican records PEL CD 523 "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"My sincere thanks to the band for performing at my daughters wedding. From the moment they started the dance floor filled and continued like that throughout the evening. Everyone thought the band was great and as many said "Rocked the Joint". They helped to make the day very successful and I hope the band enjoyed it as much as we did. Once again thank you! Sat 28th July '12"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely fantastic, professional from start to finish. Nothing was was too much trouble and they were even understanding about the delay in their set. Great music and the guests loved it, new and old songs so catered for all. Guests never stopped dancing I would definitely recommend them and I’ll Definitely be booking again for future events. Thanks guys you are amazing ? "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Booked a choir of 4, for my late father's funeral. They didn't dissapoint. An absolute delight to listen to. Would highly recommend Euphony Voices."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We invited the Steel Pan Agency to our local street party, and they turned it into a Caribbean carnival! Their music got everyone dancing and added an unforgettable energy."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: