Chris Barber

This is a good CD that should have been a great one. For a 40th anniversary concert, veteran trad trombonist Chris Barber gathered the members of both his current band and his 1954 group. The latter ensemble consists of Barber, trumpeter Pat Halcox, clarinetist Monty Sunshine, banjoist Lonnie Donegan, bassist Jim Bray and drummer Ron Bowden; they perform the first eight selections on this CD. Although there is plenty of spirit displayed on such tunes as "Isle of Capri," "Old Rugged Cross" and "Ice Cream," nothing all that special occurs. The last four performances have Barber's 1994 band (with Halcox, both John Crocker and Ian Wheeler on reeds, guitarist John Slaughter, banjoist Johnny McCallum, bassist Vic Pitt and drummer Russel Gilbrook) performing "Working Man Blues," "Wild Cat Blues" and a couple of corny medleys that do not need to be heard twice. Overall, there is some good music on this CD, but the results fall far short of classic; plus, the liner notes are in German. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide