Review Centre: Bands & Ensembles

"You were great! Thanks for playing for us. We really enjoyed it."

Reply by The Ceilidh & UK Dance Band
Thanks John! Much appreciated and we really enjoyed playing for you!

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"My Christmas featured the Rag Tags a lot. Warm, friendly and very entertaining encouraging their audience to join in"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"..thanks again for singing for us everybody really enjoyed it, lots of very positive comments today and especially how much they enjoyed your performance, All the best, love Simon and Helen x Simon James"

Reply by The Experience
Thank you for your kind words, it was a great party in such a stunning location. Thank you to you and your guests for being so welcoming and great fun!

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:

"I would only book the best for our amazing day - you didn't disappoint !! Everyone loved it "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We have hired Colette and her musicians many times now - they are always guaranteed to deliver! Colette is a firm favourite with the guys and I know that every time I book her everyone will have the best night. You were magnifico as usual on Friday and also loved Malcolm's guitar playing - especially on What a Wonderful World. Thanks you for personalising that for us it meant a lot. Looking forward to seeing you at the next event soon."

Reply by Colette & Co
Dear David, Thank you for your kind words. We really enjoy playing for you - the way you all get involved is a real treat! I was very moved that you asked me to sing 'What a wonderful world' for one of your members who could not be present due to illness. Recording that moment with everyone singing along really shows the importance of music in all our lives. We look forward to playing for you at your next meeting. Best wishes, Colette

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Honestly I was blown away by how well you all gelled, everyone’s incredible talent and the song choices. A fabulous evening!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"If you are looking for top-class musicians to add a bit of magic to your special occasion, look no further! The London String Trio can play everything from baroque to pop, and will add a touch of elegance to your event. Very professional, personable and friendly musicians, who you can rely on for excellent communication and flexibility in the run-up to your event. Would highly recommend The London String Trio for any wedding or celebration. Your guests will have an unforgettable experience!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Graeme and I had a fantastic day, which was made all the more special thanks to you. I'm just disappointed I didn't get chance to hear more than 2 pieces of music and that I didn't get chance to speak to you. A friend of ours has constructed a DVD for us of the ceremony and the harp sounds amazing in the background."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Jess I just want to say a very very big Thank You for making it such a wonderful experience today for Les. I was very sad to miss it but I gather he had a great time and you and the band were wonderful. Thank you so much for giving him so much pleasure at a time when his world just keeps getting smaller. Regards Liz Liz Kirkbride "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"They fell in with the event very well . Jess beautiful voice was enchanting."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"You guys were awesome. You absolutely made our party! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Really fabulous evening! Antony was just brilliant and made the party! It was a surprise and Antony and Nikki were really professional and relaxed about making it stay that way! Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Lyra Strings, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the incredible job you did on Friday. We could hear your beautiful music while we were having our pictures taken, and we can't wait to watch our wedding film so we can see you properly. You made our day even more special. Thank you so much! Love, Joanna & Jay x "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"A HUGE thank you to Mark and the band for playing at our wedding. Mark played saxophone during the post-ceremony drinks which everyone loved - especially my Nan! The band played at the evening reception and they were absolutely fantastic and had everyone up on their feet dancing - the dance floor was never empty while they were playing ! I’ve had many guests say to me how genuinely amazing the band were and that it was the best band they’d seen at a wedding! They made our wedding evening so much fun and I would definitely recommend this band for any large event. Thank you so much. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: