Page 60 - BiTS_03_MARCH_2024

ABB—Tracks of Our Years—Self produced

ABB have been together for 25 years and are now regulars at the
big UK blues and R&B festivals, and lauded in Guitarist Magazine
(the UK's number one fretboard publication) for their skills.

Their music is blues-based, but diverse, and much of it is self-
penned. Individually the band members enjoy a fabulous pedigree
having played with the likes of Paul Young, Ben Waters, Andy

Fairweather-Low and Eric Clapton.

ABB are: Guitar/ vocals – Chris Williams, Guitar/ vocals – John
Holmes, Keyboards - Mark Skerritt, Bass/ vocals – Dave Christopher, Drums – Dave
Mayne, Vocals/harmonica – Ray Foster. The content of the album consists of a selection of
thirteen tracks chosen from their albums from over the years.

The first thing to say about this is that there is nothing average about this band at all. All skilled
musicians, the lines meld fluently and with great effect. They are no pub/bar band either; there
are subtleties in the music and in the arrangements that belie that. Check out ‘Highway To The
Blues’ which come across as a kind of Doo-Wop flavoured soul, or ‘Dirty Weekend’, a funk infused
piece with a heavy bass and a vocal part that reminds me of some of the music of my youth.
Wonderful. It all reminds me of another ‘average’ band (the Average White Band) that like these
guys, was nothing of the sort!

Check this band out when you can. I am convinced you won’t regret it.

Ian K McKenzie

The Count Basie Orchestra—The Count Basie Orchestra
Swings The Blues—Candid 708857333110

Bill Basie passed away in April 1984. Nevertheless an orchestra
bearing his name has continued to bring swing to the music loving

public and not just in the repetition of hits of the past, but with new
music, as here.

Led by musical director Scotty Barnhart, the Count Basie Orchestra
keeps Basie's swing style alive and offers it to new audiences.
Check out the graphic on the left and you will see the names of a
star-studded pantheon of contemporary blues artist who bring
their music into the big band tent and, frankly, smash it.

There is not sufficient space here to do more than a ‘fly-by’ but if you want to get a feel of this
‘blended’ music check out the outstanding ‘I'm A Woman’ which features contributions by Buddy
Guy and Charlie Musselwhite with an exceptional vocal by Shemekia Copeland. Alternatively
check ‘Evil Gal Blues’ a song written by Leonard Feather (’Every Day I Have The Blues’) and
delivered by both Dinah Washington and (in a tribute) Aretha Franklin. This comes with a vocal
by Ledisi (Ledisi Anibade Young) and is a truly swinging blues with a laid back beat and some
delightful muted trumpet fills.

This album - which won a Grammy - is a quite outstanding contribution to the strong links
between blues and jazz. Long may it last!

Ian K McKenzie