It makes perfect sense that cornetist Digby Fairwether would have Wild Bill Davison guest on one of the songs of this two disc anthology (although it is only on vocals), as the famed British horn man has the sound and feel of the “hot jazz” artists such as Davison, Ruby Braff, Billy Butterfield and Satchmo himself. The recordings range from 1971-2012 in years and duets to septets in size. Fairwether’s sound is made for two step stompers and the team swings to the Dixie beat on “Sleepy Time Gal” and “One Tow, Button Your Shoe” to traditional Tin Pan Alley like “She’s Funny That Way”.
What wins me over, however, are the gorgeous duets with pianist Stan Barker from 1984, with lilting reads of “But Beautiful”, “Mean To Me” and “Nancy (With The Laughing Face)” with Digby dressed to the nines in “less is more” all throughout. Of course, if you want some rapid fire notes, Fairwether’s Half Dozen in 2003 along with guitarist Dominic Ashworth sears through “Runnin’ Wild” and goes cruising with Danny Moss’ Quintet on a 1981 “Fine and Dandy”. His career didn’t get traction this side of The Pond, but don’t let that dissuade you from discovering the best thing this side of Bobby Hackett.