Review Centre: Rock 'n' Roll 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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"Please pass on a huge thank you to the band for us. They were fantastic in every way and everyone has commented on how amazing they were. No request was too much and they helped create lots of memories on the dance floor and for that we are truly thankful for. "

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"Our booking with Radio Dancefloor was last minute - and from the word go, they have been amazing. Really understanding of payment terms for a big institution, with great information on set times, and what they were playing. On the night, they were really accommodating, getting everyone up dancing and performing the crowds favourite songs off the cuff and with no notice. We wished we'd booked them longer - professional and fun. Can't wait to book them again for another celebrtion! Thanks guys :)"

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"I was so blown away by their talent. A dynamic and lively experience which our guests really enjoyed. Everyone was up dancing. Thank you for making our wedding an unforgettable day. "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The Musicats played at our Christmas corporate event and were EXCELLENT! Thank you so much, will book again for next year! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hello Ben, Thank you guys for playing such a great part in what was an amazing day ( from what I can remember ha ha ) but seriously you guys were awesome . We've had loads of great feedback and everyone thought you guys were fabulous !! Hope you all had fun too !! Thank you , Laura and Chris aka Mr and Mrs Tucker x"

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

" Incredible. These guys literally rocked our wedding and I cannot tell you how many guests were constantly on the dance floor grooving away! Every song was a hit after hit - thank you to all of you in the band, you literally made it a night to remember! "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"‘He was truly amazing. Jamie's vocals were sublime and quite frankly I couldn’t take my eyes off him all night. He played songs that appealed to all ages & really got the party started. He was so professional from start to finish & all my guests were very impressed.’ Lesley Coyle, (Formby Hall Golf Club, Nr Liverpool "

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"We were so pleased that we chose The Blue Suede Shoes for our wedding, the atmosphere was fantastic and everyone was dancing. We had been quite nervous about choosing a band which we hadn’t heard live before but The Blue Suede Shoes were the first band we looked at and I am so pleased we chose them. Ben was great at communicating with us before the wedding, we chose a four piece with the saxophone and that really added something, they were great. Highly recommended and can't thank them enough."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"My husband and I were extremely happy with Elvis and his performance. He came across very professional and performed very well. His voice was fantastic and he sounded so like the real Elvis. All our guests thought he was fantastic and performed amazingly and my Dad, who is a huge Elvis fan and has seen a few Elvis impersonator in his time, said that he is the best he has ever seen. We also hired a casino and photo booth at our wedding and the owners of those business also commented that he was a very good Elvis impersonator. I would also like to add that for me it meant a lot to dance with my Dad to If I can dream by Elvis. He also made our wedding and I know if years to come we will still be saying, we had Elvis at our wedding and he was amazing."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Professional throughout they were popular with all our guests and got many people up onto the dance-floor. They sounded amazing and fitted really well into our evening reception. They were also willing to make announcements so that everyone could come and watch our last dance before we headed off on honeymoon. We would happily recommend them to anyone who wants a fun and upbeat band to entertain at their party and provide great music to dance to."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"The band, what can I say? Absolutely brilliant! Words are hard to capture what they bring to the occasion. They are a four piece band, very talented, very professional and fabulous live. Mike was fantastic to work with when we were planning the occasion and really attentive to detail. The repertoire is so extensive that you are spoilt for choice. Everybody from all age groups found them really entertaining and thoroughly enjoyed the evening. We had complements with regard to the band weeks after the event. We have been asked for their details by guests on numerous occasions. In short they are a really lovely, good looking (according to the female guests), polite, massively talented group of friends who’ll invite you into their world for an evening you will never forget. We are looking for an excuse to hire them again … We’d definitely recommend House of Chords. Thank you so much for making our evening so special."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Gents, thank you once again for performing on our special day. You guys are a credit to yourselves and helped create a superb evening."

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Hi Tony, Hope you had a good journey home this morning. Irene and I want you to know that we had a fantastic evening and loved your music. A huge thank you for all you and the guys did for us. Irene Phil Chris and Dave "

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review:

"Seen The Boys tonight in the Cavern Pub on Matthews St Liverpool. Fantastic show from two born entertainers, the playlist was spot on & the personality of the two boys really brought the crowd with them. Very impressed, hard to believe two boys can produce that sound, over from Ireland for the weekend, thanks again for a superb show "

Reply by The Timbuk Two
Hi Peter, thanks so much for taking the time to write this wonderful review, much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed the show :-) All the best, The Timbuk Two

Rating: 10 / 10 Share this review: