Customer Reviews

a superb example of a great artist's work - By: , 10 Sep 2003
At one point (it may be still true) Barbara Thompson was said to be the only sax artist who could genuinely play 2 saxophones at the same time, independantly of each other (as opposed to the same tune from 2 saxes).

Forget that though.. it's not important except as an intro. Barbara Thompson is the band leader & composer of Paraphenalia... a great jazz band. I have seen them live: oncein Bristol at a Heineken Festival (with Paraphenalia & a young brass band, Moving Parts) & againin a small venuein Plymouth.

Not all her compositions are memorable, but her musicianship (and that of her bands) always is. Some of her best writing, & the best performances of her music can be found on this album (I have all her early works on LP). I first got a copy of this 2nd hand on vinyl. The 3rd side captivated me so much I didn't stop listening to it (and the other sides!) for 2-3 years... even today I can hum along to any part after 13 years. Now owning it on CD I love to play it without the pops! I wish other albumsin her back catalogue were available (Wilde Tales for instance)... Temple Music please take note!