Review Centre: Vintage Bands

"A wonderful performer of Jazz/Swing and modern music. Victoria is a very talented singer and I would highly recommend her as a performer for any event, especially as she is most certainly able to adapt her performance to suit any occasion."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Dulcet Tones were absolutely brilliant!! Everyone loved their performance!! They are definitely going to be on my list for any future events. Really polite and professional and they do everything with real great efforts.Thank you once again for organising this for me"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We would both like to say a huge thank you to all of your band for playing so fantastically at our wedding. We absolutely loved it. Everyone was dancing and enjoying themselves and we could have listened to you all night! We've had comments from lots of guests who thought you were great and really different!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"I would like to say a big thank you to for your beautiful voice and to Clare and Bruno for the wonderful instrumental accompaniment at Ann’s (Annie) birthday celebration on Sunday. Everyone loved the music and “song list” and we will be talking about it for a long time to come."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We can honestly say that The Southern Sons made a huge impact at our party. The band played many notable covers designed to get the party in the mood for dancing. With their own folk twist to songs, The Southern Sons got everyone on their feet. It was obvious that the band members were accomplished musicians and the lead singer provided an excellent vocal performance. We would definitely book the band for future events at Lower Tregiddle."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Just wanted to say, it was wonderful to have you playing at our lunch last week and thanks again for being so flexible! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"What a fantastic way to celebrate my wife's 60th! Dave brought his guitar and created a totally unique atmosphere through his impressive jazz and swing sets, which made the day that extra bit special. A pleasure to deal with, and to have at any party or event. Personable and friendly. I would highly recommend Dave, with or without his band, if you are looking for a 'swinging' time."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Jelly Roll Jazz Band were such a special part of our wedding day! They played us up the aisle at the end of the ceremony, then stayed to perform during our outdoor drinks reception. They were fantastic to work with and sounded wonderful on the day – we absolutely loved having them there, and our guests said the same. Thank you to Michael and the band – we couldn't have been happier."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Ella was professional at all times throughout the arrangement of the booking (even when we chopped and changed things) and on the night the ladies were just SUPERB! My client loved them (as I did!) and the dresses they wore were lovely!! I wouldn't hesitate to book them again!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"One of the pleasures of writing for Jazz Views is having the opportunity to follow the progress of an artist with each new release. It has been my very great pleasure to follow Lush Jazz Band's progress over the last few years. Having reviewed Lauren’s debut album, in 2016 and the follow-up, five years later, it was with great interest that I listened to her third album. If you’re looking for continued growth and artistic development in a musician, then Lauren has certainly delivered. Earlier today, prior to writing this review, I listened again to all three albums back-to-back and was amazed at what I was hearing. Listening in such a concentrated way, I was struck by how consistent each of the albums is and how the vocalist’s progress is not taking place with gargantuan leaps but steadily, as we can see here, in a paced and sustainable development. One huge advantage for Lauren is retaining the services of pianist Liam Dunachie, who arranges much of the music, and the two have built a solid rapport that has resulted in a formidable partnership. With “Tide Rises,” Lauren Bush has found a perfect balance between the old and the new, with a couple of strong original compositions, a handful of standards, and some contemporary works that she has done a wonderful job of adapting to her voice. The album gets off to a stunning start with a brisk and swinging “Joy Spring.” The tricky lyrics are handled with great aplomb by Bush, and after a lovely solo from Dunachie, she gets in a nice scat chorus of her own. This is followed by the title track, one of two original compositions, in which Lauren has drawn inspiration for the lyrics from the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Played over an ethereal opening from Rhodes and guitar (and the only song to feature electric bass), the music evolves over a gentle tempo with an empowering delivery from Lauren. The other original, “Easy Does It,” has a relaxed, almost lazy tempo, and Lauren has written lyrics that add to the gospel flavor of the music. Versatility and variety being the name of the game, we are treated to a beautiful bossa nova written by Earl Okin titled “Madrugada,” and Joni Mitchell’s “Circle Game” is given a delightful treatment, with some exquisite playing from all. The music flows in a beguiling manner, and Mitchell’s lyrics are given a sensitive reading by the vocalist. Standards have been a constant inspiration for Lauren, and with the depth of maturity that she has gained in the last few years, I have witnessed her raise her game significantly. It is difficult to pick one over another. Her treatment of “Oh What A Beautiful Morning” is flawless and joyous, with a lovely scat solo too, and “Nobody Else But Me” has a charm all of its own. If proof is needed of Bush’s stature as a jazz vocalist, then take a listen to the ballad performance on “This Is Always.” A duet for voice and piano, this is a pure delight and even, dare I say it, surpasses the duo’s reading of “Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most,” which was such a highlight of her last album, “Dream Away.” Closing with another contemporary tune, this time from the pop duo Yazoo, Lauren and Liam Dunachie cleverly recast Vince Clarke’s song, with Lauren giving the excellent Alison Moyet a run for her money. Another step forward for Lauren in a hugely enjoyable set that sees her setting the bar increasingly higher."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Thank you so much for helping create such a memorable birthday! We haven't danced and laughed so much in ages! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Absolutely fantastic performance & you have the most amazing voice! You helped to make Craig & my special day what it was. Thankyou x"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It was the best night out I've had in ages! They played so many of my favourite songs, including some you rarely hear being covered live."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"We really enjoyed catering a wedding alongside The Swing Stakes recently. If you're looking for fabulous entertainment for an upcoming party, we'd highly recommend them. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"It’s easy to see why Tony and the band receive such excellent reviews. Linda and I had a fabulous evening with top drawer Rock ‘n’ Roll taking us back to the great times we had all those years ago. Our family, friends and neighbours all commented how much of a good time they had, and that includes people too young to remember the music first hand! The band were all extremely friendly and approachable. I cannot recommend the East Coast Rockers highly enough and look forward to seeing them again. Thanks fellas!"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: