This Old Gang of Ours

Personnel: Humphrey Lyttelton (trumpet); Kenny Davern (clarinet); Keith Graville (guitar); Randy Colville (clarinet); John Barnes (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Alan Elsdon (trumpet); Pete Strange (trombone); Martin Litton (piano); Colin Bowden (drums).
Liner Note Authors: John Griffith; Humphrey Lyttelton.
Recording information: 12/10/1985-02/12/1986.
Photographer: Nick Sangiamo.
This 1998 CD reissues a Calligraph album from 1985 that teams clarinetist Kenny Davern with an all-star group of top British trad players: trumpeter Humphrey Lyttelton, John Barnes on baritone, alto, and soprano, pianist Martin Litton, bassist Mick Hutton, and drummer Colin Bowden. Although a few of the songs are familiar (most notably "Who's Sorry Now" and "Undecided"), most of the material is a bit obscure, including the heated "Mood Hollywood" and a couple originals; all of the playing is quite fresh. Davern hits a few typically stunning high notes on his clarinet, but the heated ensembles and fine playing by the seemingly ageless Lyttelton are what make this set so enjoyable. The CD is rounded off by two numbers originally on the LP Gonna Call My Children Home, which has Lyttelton heading a nonet in 1986 on a couple selections without Davern. Well worth searching for by Dixieland and trad jazz collectors, as are virtually all of the English Upbeat Jazz label's releases. ~ Scott Yanow