Given the range of music that has echoed around the "Later With Jools" TV studio, Jools Holland ought to be one of the most versatile musicians in Britain, and so he needs to be in the star-studded Small World Big Band. Among other things, he does Georgie-Fame-style rock & roll with Sting, Memphis soul with Paul Weller, slow blues with a hollering Joe Strummer, chugging R&B with Dr John (who gives one of the most colourful vocal performances here), some largely unreconstructed Beatles with Stereophonics, some sunny ska with Suggs, a reverb-drenched blues with Mark Knopfler (sadly without a guitar break) and an epic Anthony Newley style lament with Marc Almond. The biggest news is probably the debut of the late George Harrison's first new song for 10 years, the evocative "Horse To The Water". However, despite the variety, Jools's natural inclinations and his ever-present Rhythm & Blues Orchestra lead much of the music towards big band boogie. Sometimes the blues piano clichés pop up in places that perhaps they shouldn't, but would it be a Jools Holland party without them? --Mark Gilbert
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
jools and suggs........heaven There have been quite a few bad reviews about this album, but having read them and still brought the album and listened to it myself, I'm not sure what they were listening to but I don't think it was this. I love this album, especially, Suggs, George Harrision, Mark Knopfler and J-Kay but not a single track disappoints. A really enjoyable album to relax to or dance to try it for yourself and make your own decision.
This album is worth the price just for Sam Even if the only track i liked was Sam Brown singing Valentine Moon this album is worth the price. Fortunately there are many other memorable tracks and Jools colaborations to make it a must have for any collection.
Jool in the crown Man this is an album to be proud of, a fantastic collection of songs on offer here; with such singers as Eric Clapton and Sam Brown; I have listened to mine so much that it is scrached; a new copy is in order; worth the money twenty times over
Pretty okay Upon buying this album, i put it on and found some pretty lame songs to start off. However, i listened on, and found that there were some pretty catchy numbers on here. The band is excellent and their diversity really shows. There are some really good covers on here, and this album shows that jazz is really as collective as any other genre of music.
At first i wasn't too sure about this album, but there are some really good songs on here that desrve to be recognised. If you buy this i'm sure you won't be... more info
Tracks:
Seventh Son (With Sting)
Horse To The Water (with George Harrison)
Will It Go Round In Circles (With Paul Weller)
Valentine Moon (With Sam Brown)
Return Of Blues Cowboy (With Joe Strummer)
The Hand That Changed Its Mind (With Dr. John)
Nobody But You (With Ruby Turner)
Revolution (With Stereophonics)
I Put A Spell On You (With Mica Paris & Dave Gilmour)
