Cornetist Digby Fairweather has become one of the leading figures on the British jazz scene, both as a bandleader and sideman in other leader’s bands, and as a writer and broadcaster, as well as being the founder and director of the charity Jazz Centre UK in Southend, aimed at promoting, preserving and celebrating the culture of jazz.
As a cornetist, his style embraces many strands of jazz, being influenced by the likes of Nat Gonella, Louis Armstrong, Ruby Braff, Billy Butterfield, Bobby Hackett, and Red Nichols.
This 35-track-2CD set is the second volume of a retrospective of his career to date, compiled by Digby himself, and with substantial booklet notes written by him. Included is recordings from across his career from 1979 through to 2018, and features recordings with a host of the top names in British jazz, including several by bands he has led under the names of Digby’s Half Dozen and Digby’s Fairweather Friends.
Among the artists with whom Digby performs in this set are Tony Compton, Stan Barker, John Barnes, Martin Litton, Roy Williams, Denny Wright, Ike Isaacs, Len Skeat, Brian Lemon, Stan Bourke and more. It’s the second part of a musical overview of a significant career selected by the artist himself, and providing not only a showcase for his talents, but an entertaining insight into the British jazz scene across four decades.
The five-star rated Digby Fairweather Notes From A Jazz Life (ADDCD3322), released in February 2020, was incredibly well-received and was universally applauded by critics. Notes From A Jazz Life chronicles Digby Fairweather’s half century on the jazz scene. Let’s hope volume two is in the pipeline,” wrote Russell Corbett in Jazz Rag… well here it is and it’s another thoroughly enjoyable overview of Dig’s career!
TRACKS
Disc 1 |
|
|
Track |
Title |
Artist |
1 |
First Class Sounds |
Digby Fairweather and the First Class Sounds |
2
|
I’ve Got The World on a String |
Digby Fairweather with ‘Velvet’ |
3 |
Sing |
Digby Fairweather with ‘Velvet’ |
4 |
Avalon |
Digby Fairweather with ‘Velvet’ |
5 |
If I Had Rhythm in my Nursery Rhymes |
Digby Fairweather and Friends |
6 |
Moanin’ in the Mornin’ |
Digby Fairweather and Friends |
7 |
As Long as I Live |
Digby Fairweather and Friends |
8 |
Blues for the Depression |
Digby Fairweather and Friends |
9 |
I Want a Little Girl |
Digby Fairweather & Stan Barker |
10 |
I Can Deam Can’t I? |
Digby Fairweather & Stan Barker |
11 |
It’s The Talk of The Town |
Digby Fairweather & Stan Barker |
12 |
Comin’ Back |
Digby Fairweather with ‘Fairweather Friends’ |
13 |
Tiger Blues |
Sweet Substitute with Digby Fairweather’s ‘Augmented Friends’ |
14 |
Dear Mr. Berkeley |
Sweet Substitute with Digby Fairweather’s ‘Augmented Friends’ |
15 |
Sonny Boy |
Digby Fairweather and Tony Compton |
16 |
Blues for November |
Digby Fairweather and Tony Compton |
17 |
When You’re Smiling |
Digby Fairweather and Tony Compton |
18 |
Jada |
Digby Fairweather and Tony Compton |
Disc 2 |
|
|
Track |
Title |
Artist |
1 |
Intro: Speedboat to China |
Digby Fairweather's Half-Dozen |
2 |
Swing That Music |
Digby Fairweather's Half-Dozen |
3 |
Up a Lazy River |
Digby Fairweather's Half-Dozen |
4 |
I’ll See You in my Dreams |
Digby Fairweather and his Half-Dozen |
5 |
Frankie and Johnny |
George Melly with Digby Fairweather's Half-Dozen |
6 |
September Song |
George Melly with Digby Fairweather's Half-Dozen |
7 |
I’ll Never Say Never Again Again |
Chris Ellis with Digby Fairweather and Friends |
8 |
Waiting for The Evening Mail |
Chris Ellis with Digby Fairweather and Friends |
9 |
You Can’t Stop Me from Dreamin’ |
Chris Ellis with Digby Fairweather and Friends |
10 |
Wave |
Digby Fairweather and Tony Compton |
11 |
Dark Eyes |
Digby Fairweather and Tony Compton |
12 |
The Nearness of You |
Digby Fairweather, John Barnes & Martin Litton with Fairweather's Friends |
13 |
My Sweet |
Digby Fairweather, John Barnes & Martin Litton with Fairweather's Friends |
14 |
Cheek to Cheek |
Digby Fairweather & Stan Barker |
15 |
Nagasaki |
Digby Fairweather and Eastern Jazz All Stars |
16 |
Sugar |
Digby Fairweather and Eastern Jazz All Stars |
17 |
Honeysuckle Rose |
Digby Fairweather |