For those who still remember and even miss the old Swing music of the past this recording will be a sure fire bet for owning and for gifting to your friends. The Julian Bliss Septet has not re-created Benny Goodman's songs and style of the 30s and 40s: this talented group of musicians have resurrected the flavor and the pleasure of these oldies but goodies and placed them in context with contemporary jazz (swing style).
Julian Bliss is the man with the clarinet and his homage to Goodman is solid and worthy of the master. The concept of this recording is his and it is due to his intensive research (with the added help from pianist Neal Thornton) in the works of Goodman and the performances of his music that offers this rather definitive set of thirteen songs.
The Septet is comprised of Bliss on clarinet, Thornton on piano, Jim Hart on vibes, Martin Shaw on trumpet, Colin Oxley on guitar, Tim Thornton on bass, and Matt Skelton on drums. Together the set the room on fire with their versions of Don't Be That Way / Stompin' At the Savoy, Caprice No.24, Up a Lazy River, The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise,Moonglow, Lady Be Good (Rifftide), Seven Come Eleven, Here's That Rainy Day, Sheik of Araby, Goodbye, Avalon, Soft Winds, and After You've Gone. Great tunes, lots of memories, and performances that are as fine as they come. Grady Harp, October 12
