Big Band Swing - Jack Parnell

Advantages: Excellent arrangements, brilliant musicianship
Disadvantages: A couple of weak links - often the latin ones

...Big Bad Voodoo Daddy arguably started the swing revival of the 1990s after their cameo appearance in the excellent film "Swingers". Playing in their local club, the swing band performed the self-penned "You and Me and the Bottle Makes Three" as Vince Vaughan and co. knocked back cocktails and tried to get off with Heather Graham. This album is more than just a collection of witty songs given the swing treatment. Underpinning it is a true understanding of swing and jive arrangements, backed up by the youth and recklessness of the band. It's also particularly good to hear the excellent production that has been performed on this album, as too often the best music of this type was recorded onto tape during the 1940s! The album begins with the band's arrangement of "Boogie Bumper", an up-tempo and all-instrumental straight swing tune... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great voice!
Disadvantages: ermmmm?

...not expect the Robbie of old! (Apart from the cheeky and humourous out-takes at the end of some of the songs!) The songs are classic swing and 'jazzy'. I admit,It's nothing new, but it's fun to listen to, and it's quite obvious that he had fun recording these songs. All the songs are superbly performed, but my personal favourites from the album are Mack The Knife, It Was A Very Good Year (Frank Sinatra's voice added in - great effect!) Mr Bojangles (wow) Things (Duet with Jane Horrocks) Have You Met Miss Jones (From the Bridget Jones Diary movie) and Beyond The Sea. This may not be everybody's cup of tea, It's worth listening to before buying. But, it's nothing new, just Robbie paying tribute to the great swing singers of the 50's, he sings well, but only risk buying if 1.You are a fan of Robbie's. 2. You like big band/swing music. But in my... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Upbeat, entertaining, great quality.
Disadvantages: None

...An apt title for this great reproduction. Of the 20 tracks on this album only one sounds like a copy of a 1930s '78. All the others could have been recorded in a modern studio. Jack Hyltons arrangements are flawless and whilst the vocals sound slightly camp in todays standards, that was the sound and style of the day. The Liner notes are well edited, being informative and interesting. There is also a personel listing for each track. This collection, whilst upbeat, didn't have the same entertainment value to me as 'Hot Hylton 1927-1930', but I would recommend both CDs to anyone with a taste for 1930s big band music. Liston out for the thumping bass on many of the tracks. My grandfather Clem Lawton is responsible.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful