Customer Reviews

Nearly the end of an era. - By: billjazzrite@aol.com, 18 Nov 2001
This session was recorded towards the end of Alex's great musical career as one of the best jazzmen ever to have graced the British jazz scene.
The band of the 70's personel was changing by the time this session was made. Clarinetist, Al Gay had comein place of John Barnes. On trombone, Roy Crimmins had returnedin place of Roy Brown. Ron Rubin was playing bass & Roger Nobes was at the drums & vibes. For the early 80's recordings, Denny Wirght was playing guitar, Peter Skivingtonin on bass & Laurie Chescoe, soon to form another good British jazz band, was the band' drummer
Ever present was the greatly swinging rhythm team of pianist Fred Hunt & guitarist, Jim Douglas, which contributed so much to the band's sound for so many years. Alex Welsh' health was beginning to deteriatein the late 70's & early 80's when this music was made, but still he played with the unassuming Chicago style that endeered him to so many fans who locked to hear the Welsh band play.
The music on this Upbeat album are taken from BBC archives & is made available once more for all Alex Welsh fans & many new ones too.
Since the much mourned passing of Alex Welsh, & indeed, Fred Hunt, the legend of the Welsh band has grownin stature & demand for the unreleased recordings by the Welsh bands has grown. This album will help fill that demand. The music contained herein is that typicial of the band's diveristy, which they played with all the consummate professiolism associated with that of one of Britain's greatest jazz bands.
Thoroughly recommended to all fans of the era & those since. I doubt that we shall ever see the like of an Alex Welsh again. This is great world class jazz by any standards.
Bill Waterfield, Northampton. November 2001