The Best of Chris Barber's Jazz Band
Although the title may be something of an exaggeration, this is an indispenable CD, if only for its inclusion of eight of the ten tracks from the rare 1954-55 LP, Jazz Sacred and Secular (see original cover to the left). Other tracks include some single sides from the early to mid-1960s, plus four Shakepeare sonnets put to music and sung by Ottilie Patterson. The sleeve notes by Julian Purser, official Barber discographer and archivist, are very helpful and informative, and the data for recording dates and personnel are exemplary. Because it was released in 2002, the CD is still widely available. If you don't have it, buy it!

Recording dates: Various dates between 1954 and 1964.
Music: Shout 'Em Aunt Tillie, recorded January 13, 1955.

Personnel: The original Chris Barber's Jazz Band (Barber, Halcox, Sunshine, Donegan, Bray, Bowden).

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