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 ROLL ALONG PRAIRIE MOON

 

click the below to hear a sample

Having, for many years, been an admirer of Roger Marks' tremendous trombone playing either as the leader of his own bands or as a guest with other bands, I was delighted to be asked to write the sleeve notes for this CD.
Roger has assembled several versions of his Armada Jazz Band and each one has been very good, only to be changed when a particular musician decided to retire or move on. The present line up, arguably the best so far, has been together now for almost two years. This is their second "live" recording, ensuring that the listener is treated to a session truly replicating the sound of this fine band, which as their logo states is "Quite simply the best in the West".
As usual, the tunes have been carefully selected from the band's current repertoire to present a programme that provides a comprehensive indication of the band's range of Jazz sounds. Every title is performed with style by a band containing six polished professionals, every one a complete master of his instrument, who obviously enjoyed the session. The presentation, playing and timing is well nigh perfect throughout.
The opening number "Under The Bamboo Tree", a lively swinging arrangement, sets the scene for a thoroughly enjoyable session and the title track "Roll Along Prairie Moon" really swings to such an extent that it could have been re-titled Swing Along Prairie Moon!
A pleasant surprise to find "You're Just In Love", an Irving Berlin tune written for the show Call Me Madarn, played as a Jazz number, I've no doubt that it will soon be in other band's books. "0 Sole Mio " is the vehicle for Roger to demonstrate his exemplary skills on Trombone, which are also very evident throughout the entire session.
Mid way through the CD one is, in a few minutes, magically transported from New York to London listening to superb renditions of "Harlem Rag" and "Limehouse Blues".
A beautilully played slow number "When You Wish Upon A Star" affords John Shillito the opportunity to demonstrate both his vocal ability and a mellow trumpet style to complement his usual driving lead trumpet playing. Reed player Ken Rennison's tenor solo in "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans" and his liberal use of the soprano are a pleasure.
No Armada Jazz Band session would be complete without a banjo solo from John Whitlock and, we are not disappointed here with his playing of one of his own compositions "At The Wheel" - a reference to the band's weekly residency in The Odd Wheel at Wembury. The other two members of a superb rhythm section are not featured as soloists but just spare an ear for the wonderful accompaniment of "Mr. Metronome" Bob Jarvis on electric bass and the vastly experienced drummer Denny Hutchinson.
There are four more tracks not mentioned above, one of which is the final track - "You, You're Driving Me Crazy". All I can add is that I'm being driven crazy waiting for the next opportunity to see this band live!

George Giles


Footnote:
The tune "Helter Skelter" was written by John Whitlock and performed by him in 1999 as a banjo feature on an earlier CD entitled "Tailgate Ramble" (Raymer Sound RSCD690). It puts me in mind of jazz classics such as Panama Rag and Fidgety Feet in that it has three themes, and in this instance changes key five times and has rhythm changes and stop breaks. Sorry John, I couldn't resist pinching it for the band - got any more?

Roger Marks

TRACKS

MUSICIANS
1 Under The Bamboo Tree Roger Marks - trombone / leader
2 You're Just In Love John Shillito - trumpet / vocals
3 Hesitatin' Blues Ken Rennison - reeds
4 O Sole Mio John Whitlock - banjo / guitar
5 Ain't She Sweet Bob Jarvis - e.bass
6 Roll Along Prairie Moon Denny Hutchinson - drums
7 Harlem Rag
8 Limehouse Blues
9 When You Wish Upon A Star
10 Helter Skelter
11 Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans
12 At The Wheel
13 You, You're Driving Me Crazy

 

Roll Along Prairie Moon - Roger Marks Armada Jazz Band - RSCD711

Recorded live at the Half Moon, Paignton 9th May 2000 with kind permission of the 
proprietors Keith and Lyn Dooley.

Recorded and produced by Raymer Sound (+44 (0)1823-662160) 

 

 

 

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