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Chris Barber - Memories Of My Trip (2011) 2CD
Blues, Jazz, Gospel | Proper Records #PRPCD073
Trombonist, bandleader and sometime bassist Chris Barber has been at the centre of British musical life for sixty years. In celebration of his 80th birthday, this 2CD anthology shows just why he has been such an influential figure, giving just a taste of his breadth of interest, and of his involvement in jazz, blues, skiffle and beyond. Contains performances with Eric Clapton, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler, Rory Gallagher, Jools Holland, Keith Emerson, Muddy Waters and many more.
Chris Barber is a U.K. trombonist and band leader extrodenaire. His career spans sixty years and he's still going strong with recent and upcoming European tours.
Mr. Barber was a primary force in the U.K. post war establishment of Trad jazz. Additionally, he pioneered the unique musical blend know popularly as Skiffle. He helped launch the career of Lonnie Donegan, who along with Chris, had several international skiffle hits in the early sixties. He also arranged major U.K. tours in the late fifties introducing British audiences to U.S. blues artists as, Muddy Waters, Jimmy Cotton, Brownie McGhee, Sonny Terry and countless others.
One could argue these tours sparked British bands interest in recording blues and in turn, triggered the mid sixties British blues invasion of the U.S.
His legacy deserves a box set but until then, this two CD package will have to act as a musical anthology.
This 2011 Proper Records release includes 31 tracks comprising two hours + of music. There's a generous mix of gospel, jazz, skiffle and blues compositions. The music is a mix of studio and live (concert or [on air] radio broadcast) recordings. The dates range from 1958 through 2010. Approximately 70 % of these tracks are previously unreleased.
The music is loaded with legendary guest artists. The blues tracks include performances by Muddy Waters, Jimmy Cotton, Pinetop Perkins, Alexis Korner, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, Rory Gallagher, Eric Clapton and the Canadian guitar icon Jeff Healey.
The skiffle sessions feature among others, Van Morrison and Lonnie Donegan. The gospel sessions include Andy Fairweather Low and Ottillie Patterson. The jazz sections include guest appearances by Trummy Young, Keith Emerson, Albert Nicholas, Jools Holland, and Eddie Durham. Finally, there are three rare on air broadcasts of collaboration between Chris and Mark Knopfler.
The material is first class regardless of the genre. Some of the song composers include Lieber & Stroller, Muddy Waters, W.C. Handy, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael, Jelly Roll Morton, Mark Knopfler and of course, Chris Barber.
The liner notes penned by Chris Barber provide detailed background on the artists and the recording venues.
One of the real treasures of this set is listening to the musical contributions of long time Chris Barber band members. The collaborations are inspiring but it was artists like John Slaughter, Pat Halcox, Vic Pitt, John Crocker, Roger Hill and Ottillie Patterson who solidified the bands sterling reputation throughout the decades. Sadly, John Slaughter and Ottillie Patterson have recently passed in the last couple of years while others have retired from touring.
The Chris Barber band continues to play on but the value of this set is listening to classic performances which can never be replicated.
~ Richard C. Ferris, amazon.com
Official website
Wiki
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Disc One: Blues, Jazz & Gospel
Track List:
01. Memories Of My Trip [02:56]
02. When Things Go Wrong [02:45]
03. Do Lord, Do Remember Me [02:28]
04. Weeping Willow [03:56]
05. Kansas City [07:03]
06. Love Me Or Leave Me [04:01]
07. Can't Be Satisfied [04:43]
08. Diggin' My Potatoes [05:39]
09. Goin' Up The River [07:50]
10. How Long Blues [03:42]
11. Goin' Home [04:33]
12. Oh Didn't He Ramble [05:34]
13. Lonesome Road [04:42]
14. I'll Be Rested [05:34]
15. Precious Lord, Take My Hand [05:18]
16. Couldn't Keep It To Myself [04:51]
17. Another Sad One [02:02]
Disc Two: Jazz & Blues
Track List:
01. St. Louis Blues/Missouri Blues/St. Louis Blues [10:08]
02. High Society [04:47]
03. Rock Candy [02:58]
04. Georgia On My Mind [10:19]
05. Rose Room [05:12]
06. C-Jam Blues [06:03]
07. Tea Party Blues [06:31]
08. Jack Teagarden Blues [06:28]
09. Tailgate Boogie [04:26]
10. Winin' Boy [02:55]
11. On The Sunny Side Of The Street [04:43]
12. Blues Stay Away From Me [03:45]
13. Dallas Rag [02:49]
14. 'Til The Next Time I'm In Town [03:27]
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