More Jools than jewels (Small World Big Band Vol. 2 - More Friends - Jools Holland)

Member Name: NikkiH

Product:	Small World Big Band Vol. 2 - More Friends - Jools Holland
Date:	03/05/03 (134 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: There are a couple of gems

Disadvantages: Not really my thing

I am a big fan of the live music programmes hosted by Jools Holland on BBC2, which are called 'Later With Jools Holland'. I am always impressed by the varied line ups he manages to give the viewers, and I think because he is so respected within the music industry, it is no surprise that so many people want to work with him. He released an album entitled Jool Holland and Friends a couple of years ago, but it is this second offering which I am reviewing, as I strangely have never listened to the first album.

The opening track 'Together We Are Strong' features two Sams. The first being British female vocalist, Sam Brown, who is best known for her single 'Stop'. Her career did not take off as she wanted, and many a time I have seen her as a backing vocalist on Jolls' television programme, but here she is allowed to take centre stage with soul legend Sam Moore. All of the songs feature a rhythmn and blues orchestra, but they are not overpowering, and this song really has a nice upbeat feel, with the two vocalists complementing each other nicely.

Vocalist of the moment Norah Jones is unmistakable on 'In The Dark' which was originally done by Nina Simone, who I am sure is someone Norah aspires to be like, and as I am a fan, I have to say that I can certainly see that happening if she carries on releasing the material she does. This is certainly one of the high points of the album for me, as the track soothes and relaxes, which is just what I need most days when I come home from work, and it also supports my cause of trying to get as many of my friends and family to listen to Norah Jones as I can.

The late Edwin Starr was a regular inclusion in the live programmes, and here, he gives us the toe tapping 'Snowflake Boogie', and I am sure I can detect Sam Brown on backing vocals. The pace never lets up, and it is a really uplifting track, and Starr's voice sounds more gravelly than I have ever heard. Th
e track has less of a big band feel than many of the others, however it is a good rock/pop/soul sung by a man with brilliant vocals, who I am sure will be missed by music fans all over the world.

'The Only Face' features the unmistakable voice of Bryan Ferry. This man's voice is just so smooth, it glides through the air, and the muted tones of the band only strengthen this. I can't say that I would go out of my way to listen to any Bryan Ferry or Roxy Music material, but when I hear this track I know that is something that I must remedy. The harmonica playing on this track adds to the magic, and I suspect that this is down to Jools Holland, but please feel free to correct me if you know any different.

Soul Diva Dionne Warwick performs 'What Goes Around', a song which has a real sixties feel to it, which is probably when she was at her most prominent. From someone of her stature, I felt that the song should have had more of an impact, but before you notice it, the track has finished, and I struggled to even remember what it was like a minute after it ending. The lowest point of the whole album for me, which is a shame because she has the voice and the presence to make us remember every word she sings.

It doesn't get any bigger than rock n roll meets big band, with the added ferocity of Tom Jones' vocals. It makes me feel like a should be at a dance wearing a dress with copious amounts of underneath so it can flare up when I spin around! Tom Jones just seems to do no wrong, and this track is no exception. It is fast, light hearted and one that gets you tapping your feet, but in case your energy levels need a boost, the tempo drops with Chrissie Hynde who has her moment with 'Out Of This World'. Not my cup of tea, it all felt a bit too painful, and it never really reached the heights of many of the other tracks on the album.

An unknown group to me are The Blind Boys Of Alabama, and they perform
'Rock Me'. Not for me, and I think I miss the point totally. When I saw the track listing, I was very dubious when I saw that The Stereophonics would be covering the classic 'First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', but I have to say while I am not completely wrong, and Kelly Jones manages the challenging vocals very well, it does not work 100%, there is just that certain something missing, and I think it is the mood that his voice creates. This was originally a very gentle song, but that does not come across in this version.

Huey from Fun Lovin Criminals as Frank Sinatra. I think not! Well he has set himself up for a big fall as he covers 'Fly Me To The Moon'. It is a light hearted version, and it has to be, as Huey cannot compare to the big band singers who have gone before him, but if you take the song for what it is, then you will not be disappointed, with the gravelly offering from the Fun Lovin Criminals front man, which has the added bonus of a bit of humour and quite a generous sprinkling of artistic licence.

'The Can Is Open' features Badly Drawn Boy, who is an artist I would like to enjoy, but I just don't get his music, other than the odd song which I think is ok. It is a nice enough song, which flows along, and allows the musicians to really shine, but it is just not one that I connect with. 'Yours Sincerely' features Confused N10 and Kinks front man Ray Davies, and seeing that name attached to any song always makes me think that it will something special, but not this time. It is a horrendous track, where Ray Davies sounds more like a voiceover for a Blur song, and his accent is far too pronounced, and he needs someone to help him with his tuning. I hate every second of this song.

The man behind this whole album gets his sole moment in the spotlight with 'Tuxedo Junction'. It is an upbeat demonstration of a big band orchestra. A nice interlude, but nothing more. The legend we know
as Robert Plant performs what I initially thought was a strange choice of track with 'Let The Boogie Woogie Roll'. It reminds me a lot of 'All Shook Up' in certain places. Plant's voice is more subtle than on his more rock based offerings, and Jools Hollands piano playing is as great as ever.

An instrumental follows with 'Drown In My Own Tears' by Jeff Beck. I am never that much of a fan of instrumentals, and I feel the same about this. I think the lyrics make this song what it is, and the instrumental lacks because of that, but with the next song it is the exact opposite. Ruby Turner blows me away with 'Count Me In'. It is a jazzed up song which when it has the backing of the big band, it is a brilliant simple track, that is not too ambitious, but then simple sometimes works much better.

Sixties icon Marianne Faithful tried to make a comeback in the last few years, and I am sure her cringeworthy version of 'You Got To Serve Somebody' was just part of that plan. It is a disgrace that she has been allowed to record a track for this album, and it proves that it is not what you know, but who you know. Her voice is flat, out of tune, and totally lacking in emotion, and my attention starts to wander at this point, and it is not regained with Jools Holland belting out his take on 'Angelgrinder Blues'. Not for me, too bluesy, too chessy, and the vocals are too forced.

Can Brummie Beverley Knight make me listen again with her version of the classic 'Change is Gonna Come'? The answer is a resounding yes. I love Beverley Knight's voice, and I think she is hugely underrated, and is a better vocalist and performer than many female artists who have just had better marketing than her. She smoulders through the song, and instantly I forget what has gone before her, and without doubt this is my favourite track from the whole album, and it should have taken top billing.

Soul legend an
d an artist I remember listening to a lot as a child is George Benson. He gives a brilliant rendition of 'Teardrops In My Eyes'. It is amazing how such a soulful singer can adapt to having the backing of a big band, but it works well, as does 'Dreams' with the enigmatic Jimmy Cliff, who not surprisingly brings a touch of reggae to the proceedings. The album is coming to a close, which is disappointing for me as I felt that it had only really started to get going over the last few tracks.

Final track on the album is 'If You Wear That Velvet Dress' which sees U2 frontman Bono taking centre stage. This was recorded last year, and also features jazz trumpeter Guy Barker. It is dramatic, and a perfect close to the album, which I have to say is a mixed bag, but overall it is enjoyable, and I am sure if I listen to it once in a while I will enjoy it, but it does not have enough to make it a permanent fixture in my CD player, and that is probably because big band is just not my bag!

Summary: