This latest Armada Jazz Band CD, titled Best Days, issued by Upbeat Recordings is a compilation of tracks from two previously issued CD’s. These were on the small Raymer Sound label (now defunct) from the U.K. The CDs were RSCD711: Roger Marks’ Armada Jazz Band, Roll Along Prairie Moon (tracks 3-7, 10, 12 on the Upbeat CD) and RSCD744: Roger Marks’ Armada Jazz Band, High Society (tracks 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 13 on the Upbeat CD). (The band had more than half a dozen additional CD’s issued on the Raymer label.)
According to leader Roger Marks, because of “the quality of the band I had at that time,” these tracks should be made available again. All of the players were, in Marks’ judgment, “outstanding.” This rating is amply substantiated by the personnel; and guest on clarinet Pete Allen, who also leads his own band, has no problem fitting right in as if he were a regular member.
The band could be classified as “mainstream,” I would guess, giving as much emphasis to solos as to ensembles, perhaps; but that should not put off those who, like me, tend toward the emphasis on collective improvisation of “moldy figdom.” The ensembles provide many interesting moments as well as laying down the melodies, and the solos are brim full of exciting improvisation.
The tune list contains no real surprises, although “Roll Along, Prairie Moon” may be found more often on country/western CDs and “O Sole Mio” on CDs by the likes of Italian singers. These provide some interesting variation on the usual jazz fare. The mettle of the players is tested on the first track, “Travellin’ Blues,” which is taken at a very fast clip. Yet there is never a flub to be detected in the ensembles or the solos where the trumpet growls, the trombone glisses, and the banjo is propelled by rimshots on the drums.
In similar fashion, the closing number, “That’s A Plenty,” is taken at a breakneck tempo. The trumpet tonguing on the fanfares is very impressive. In solos, the clarinet explores the upper end of high register, and the trombone is backed effectively with stop time as is the banjo on the second chorus. The number concludes with a banjo tag.
Other highlights would include the dramatic opening stop time of “Hesitatin’ Blues” by the ensemble in the first eight bars, consisting of a four-bar phrase repeated between stops—the “hesitation.” Each solo begins with the same eight bars by the soloist as an opening. The trumpet solo flawlessly demonstrates Shillito’s technique in the upper register, reaching heights reminiscent of Armstrong’s. The process is reversed when Marks begins his trombone solo. Rather than his stating the eight-bar phrase, he improvises and the rest of the group plays the stops behind him. As the solo ends, the banjo plays a string of staccato triplets with increasing volume right into the concluding coda, which begins with the trumpet stating the four-bar phrase, the rest playing stops behind in response the first time, then the sax answering the second time. The track closes effectively with a ritard, the whole being a tour de force.
To cite just a few other instances, “O Sole Mio” captures attention with the alternation of sixteen bars of habanero with sixteen bars of straight four throughout, ending with a sustained chord. In “Limehouse Blues” the trading of fours among trombone, trumpet, and sax for several choruses, followed by a tremolo-laden banjo solo, ending with a dramatic coda full of stops and staccato chords from the front line, is surprising but satisfying.
Space limitations do not admit of some analysis here of the other tracks, but they, too, are replete with moments of pleasure that derive from the individual musicians or the arrangements or both. I must admit I was a little surprised that the audience, judging by what sounds like tepid applause, was not more appreciative, but it could be that the sound person just did not adequately capture their response, this being a live recording of each performance. I certainly give the performers and their performances two-thumbs-up.
Along with other Upbeat CDs, this one can be had from the Upbeat Recordings’ web site www.upbeatmailorder.co.uk and from other web sites such as Amazon.
Best Days
Roger Marks’ Armada Jazz Band
Upbeat URCD 339
www.upbeatmailorder.co.uk
1. Travellin’ Blues
2. Magnolia’s Wedding Day
3. Hesitatin’ Blues
4. Roll Along, Prairie Moon*
5. O Sole Mio
6. Limehouse Blues
7. You, You’re Driving Me Crazy
8. Carry Me Back to Old Virginia
9. When My Dreamboat Comes Home
10. Under the Bamboo Tree*
11. Canal Street Blues
12. Ain’t She Sweet
13. That’s A Plenty
Tracks 3-7, 10, 12 recorded live at the Half Moon, Paignton, Devon, May 9, 2000
Tracks 1, 2, 8, 9, 11, 13 recorded live at the Three Horseshoes, Branscombe, Devon, Sep. 22, 2001
Personnel:
Roger Marks, trombone. leader; John Shillito, trumpet, all tracks except 5, vocal*; Ken Rennison, soprano and alto sax, all tracks except 2, 5; Pete Allen, guest clarinet, tracks 1, 2, 8, 13; John Whitlock, banjo; Bob Jarvis, electric bass guitar; Denny Hutchinson, drums.
