Most of us on this side of The Pond have probably never heard of Chris Barber, and more’s the pity. The venerable trombonist and bass player is one of the big names in British Trad Jazz (is that an oxymoron, by the way?), which, while serving two strikes against him in the states, being from the UK and favoring something that isn’t post modern, says more about us than it does about him.
This two disc anthology is an embarrassment of riches that focuses on the depth and beauty of Depression era jazz, with Barber sitting in with some of the greatest artists two ever play 16 bars, or AT 16 bars. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee join in with a series of tunes that is highlighted by “Do, Lord, Do Remember Me,” while Muddy Waters saddles up with a swinging “Kansas City.” Irish rocker Rory Gallagher is right at home with a cooking little “Can’t Be Satisfied,” and skiffle maestro Lonnie Donegan gets you up on your feet with “Diggin’ My Potatoes.” Need I go on with Van Morrison, Dr John and even Mark Knopfler sounding better than ever in the presence of Barber’s band? This is music that grabs you by the throat; it’s a collection of real feelings, real joy, real life and presented in a way that you can feel that these people have lived it. Not a hint of glib shallowness. Nothing artsy or fancy, a real beef stew that sticks to your ribs, and will make you come back for more.
