Smith & Co

In the almost obsessively materialistic world of the 21st Century, it must be hard to imagine how grey life must have been in Britain immediately after World War 2. For those that were around in 1945/6/7, the arrival of George Webb's Dixielanders and those that followed must have been incredibly exciting. George Webb 'held Court' at the Red Barn in Bexleyheath, Kent and it was to this fondly remembered venue that young Jazz Musicians gravitated to hear the Webb band and meet like minded players. It was here that a young Humphrey Lyttelton used to visit to sit in on trumpet, which culminated in him joining the Band. Late in 1947, 'Humph' left George Webb to start his own Band, which continues to this day. Much admired as one of the finest trumpeters Britain has ever produced, Lyttelton, a keen follower of Louis Armstrong, followed a traditional Jazz path well into the '50's, before causing something of an outrage, by breaking ranks and moving into a more mainstream style of Jazz. 'Humph's career continued to expand and his Jazz band activities were punctuated by his work as a broadcaster, raconteur, author, composer and arranger.

Chris Barber formed his first band in 1948 and, by 1951, was making his first records for Esquire. The Barber band built up a good reputation and, in 1953, invited Ken Colyer to front the band, a partnership destined to be short lived, ending in 1954 with Colyer leaving and Pat Holcox replacing him. Along with these 3 giants of the fifties jazz scene this compilation also features work from the fourth Jazz great of the late fifties, Acker Bilk, and many other great names from this era including TERRY LIGHTFOOT, GEORGE MELLY, CY LAURIE, Bobby Mickleburgh's Bobcats, THE MERSEYSIPPI JAZZ BAND and many others.

This double CD, in contrast to other material on the market, is the definitive collection of Great British Jazz work from the immediate  post war period up to 1958. Undoubtedly the greatest Trad - Jazz period in the UK, this double set, beautifully mastered, will appeal not only to the jazz aficionados, but also to the broader public who still remember the post war years with a nostalgic gleam in their eyes.

CD 1
Forty & Tight - Cy Laurie Jazz Band
Brown Skin Mama - Dave Carey Jazz Band
Over in the Glory Land - Eric Silk & his Southern Jazz
Since my best Girl turned me down - Freddie Randall
East Coast Trot – Humphrey Lyttleton
She's crying for me - The Yorkshire Jazz Band
Livery Stable Blues - Bobby Mickelburgh's Bobcats
Creole Love Call - Crane River Jazz Band
Heebie Jeebies - Ken Colyer's Jazzmen
Panama - Terry Lightfoot & his Jazzmen
Blue turning Grey - The Saints Jazz Band
Dr. Jazz - Sandy Brown's Jazz Band
Keeping out of mischief now - Alex Welsh
You've got the right key, but the wrong keyhole - George Melly with Mick Mulligan's Jazz Band
Chicago Buzz - Merseysippi Jazz Band
Gravier Street Blues - Acker Bilk & his Paramount Jazz Band
Stomp off, Let's go - Chris Barber's New Orleans Jazz Band
Royal Garden Blues - Cy Laurie Jazz Band
Shanty in old Shanty Town - Mick Mulligan & his Jazz Band
Boogie Woogie Stomp - The Saints Jazz Band
Chimes Blues - The Yorkshire Jazz Band
Bad Penny Blues - Humphrey Lyttleton (Feat. Johhny Parker)
Tiger Rag - Chris Barber's Jazz Band
Listen to CD1 - track 1 - 5

CD 2
Mahogany Hall Stomp - The Saints Jazz Band
Steamboat Stomp - Cy Laurie Jazz Band
Gatemouth - Eric Silk & his Southern Jazz Band
Misty Morning - Chris Barber's New Orleans Jazz Band
Gettysburg March - Acker Bilk & his Paramount Jazz Band
You always hurt the one you love - Terry Lightfoot & his Jazzmen
Kansas City Kitty - Dave Carey Jazz Band
Ruritanian Blues - Humphrey Lyttleton
Emperor Norton's Hunch - Merseysippi Jazz Band
Struttin' with some Barbecue - Bobby Mickleburgh's Bobcats
Saratoga Swing - Eric Batty's Jazz Aces
Snag It - Mick Mulligan & his Jazz Band
Papa Dip - Ken Colyer's Jazz Band
King Porter Stomp - Sandy Brown's Jazz Band
Savoy Blues - The Yorkshire Jazz Band
Clarinet Blues - Freddy Randall
Chasing the Ace - Eris Silk & his Southern Jazz Band
Organ Grinder Blues - George Melly with Mick Mulligan & his Jazz Band
New Orleans Masquerade - Alex Welsh
Tuxedo Junction - Cy Laurie Jazz Band
Ory's Creole Trombone - The Saints Jazz Band
Petite Fleur - Chris Barber's Jazz Band featuring Monty Sunshine
Bourbon Street Parade/When the Saints go Marching in - Chris Barber's Jazz Band
Listen to CD1 - track 1 - 5