West London Rhythm Kings and Guests

This compilation of tracks by the West London Rhythm Kings gives some idea of the various personnel who played with the band or “depped” (“subbed” in the US) in it at one time or another during the period 1990-2001. The listing of the names takes up almost the entire back of the jewel case inlay, most of the tracks being under the aegis of John Keen, who appears on all but two and who owns the tapes which comprise the CD. As was the case with the previous CD of the band which I reviewed some time ago, this one contains some fine examples of New Orleans-style jazz, the band favoring that mode with its emphasis on ensemble work. Keen’s lead is again a commanding one, and his choice of material and tempos is unerring. I would think that all of the titles would be fairly familiar ones to trad. fans, but some we don’t hear very often, such as “Come On and Stomp, Stomp, Stomp,” “Yaaka Hula Hicky Dula,” or “St. Phillip Street Breakdown.” And with players such as Ken Sims, Sammy Rimington, Pete Dyer, Jim Bray, and Dipper Duddy, to mention just a few, how could one go wrong? In particular, John Barnes’ “St. Philip Street Breakdown” is a tour de force. It is not an exaggeration to say he is “all over the clarinet” on this tune. Quite probably George Lewis himself would have been in awe if he had had the chance to hear Barnes here. Barnes was not ready to