Review Centre: Vintage Bands

"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 "

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"You were amazing and just what I wanted. Keep up the good work and best of luck with everything. Take care Stacey"

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"Thank you for singing at our drinks reception for our wedding, everyone commented on how amazing a singer you were! You created the best atmosphere for us, we cannot recommend Lady Rose enough ? thanks again xxx"

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"Thank you The Vintage Vixens for such a wonderful performance at our Ball. The Performance was magnificent and you got the dancing off to a very good start just like I knew you would. I shall be recommending your services to all the other Mayors in Surrey! Once again a very big thank you from all of us."

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"The Tom Belbin trio were fantastic! They helped to create the perfect atmosphere and really brightened up our day!"

Reply by The Grand Central Trio
Thanks Lucy! Glad you enjoyed the music :)

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"The Velvet Tones sound even better in person! Such amazing musicians that I could not recommend enough. Well worth it! "

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"The Swing Zippers were a fantastic addition to our wedding! We had struggled to find a band that felt unique and different, and with the added complication of no amplified music allowed outside at our venue, we almost lost hope. I am so glad we came across the Swing Zippers! We booked the trio (including double bass) for during our drinks reception and they were such a hit. Their repertoire was fantastic and all of our guests commented on how much they enjoyed it and how the music added something upbeat, unique and that little dose of extra class! 100% would recommend!"

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"We held perhaps the most successful party we've ever had on Saturday and appreciation of Martin's part in that cannot be properly described. A lovely man playing beautiful music, he constantly judged the 'mood' of the moment and adapted the play list to suit. Absolutely perfect."

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"I want to say a huge thank you to the whole band. The evening was made so special by the fun mix of music and professional way in which they setup and executed the set. Everybody had a cracking time and the band were a pleasure to host. Thank you very much Duncan for making the evening the success that it was. I hope we'll be in touch again in the future but best of luck with all you upcoming gigs. I'll be spreading the word! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Can I say a massive thank you to you for all your efforts on Saturday night. The music was superb and many of our guests have commented on the quality and originality of the music. It suited everyone of all ages and everyone was up dancing which was exactly what we were hoping for. The whole experience was great, from the ease of booking to your response to my questions, thank you. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you and will certainly look to book you for any future family celebrations."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"'Swing Gitan UK joined the Nottingham Jazz Orchestra on the bill of the Christmas Jazz Fest last weekend. Having seen Swing Gitan a number of times, I have always been massively impressed with the musical and technical ability of all members of the band. Their music would sound at home on the streets or riverbank walkways of Paris, but we were lucky enough for them to join us for a unique lineup of bands. Within just a few bars of their first number, (insert what you played first here, I can't remember, sorry lol), it is clear to all that Elliott Lewis and Wayne Jefferies, who take the positions as guitarists within the band, are masters of their instruments and faithfully re-create the music of Django Reinhardt, but adding their own style to numbers such as Minor Swing, Blue Bossa, and Undecided. Joined by bassist Rob Coates and James Tolhurst completing the lineup, their enthusiasm is infectious and the music always driving. If you ever get the chance to catch these guys doing a set, you will not be disappointed!' "

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"Your look is spot on and your harmonies mellifluous and perfect for the music of the 40s. It was a joy to hear your rendition of We’ll Meet Again – thank you for sharing it with me."

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"Rachel entertained us at our WI Group meeting - we had a really wonderful evening she immediately set everybody at ease with her lovely warm personality. She sang beautifully to a mixed age group choosing from a wide range of songs - classical/ musical and modern. She even managed several requests as well. I would certainly have no hesitation in recommending Rachel to sing at other WI events or to any of my friends. A big thank you Rachel. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We booked the Swing Zippers to entertain our colleagues during their tea breaks whilst on shift. The guys conducted themselves in a professional manner from start to finish! They performed a fabulous range of songs from modern pop hits to old school jazzy sounds and our workforce loved it. Thanks!"

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"On behalf of Royal Green Jackets Association I would like to take this opportunity to thank you most sincerely for attending our reunion at Winchester on Saturday evening and entertaining us all so brilliantly.The music and professional presentation of your sets was spot on and thoroughly enjoyed by a very appreciative audience. I cannot say more than the Belles were the perfect finale to a busy and enjoyable day"

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