Acker Bilk -- or Mr. Acker Bilk, as he was billed -- has won immortality on rock oldies radio for his surprise 1962 hit "Stranger on the Shore," an evocative ballad featuring his heavily quavering low-register clarinet over a bank of strings. To the jazz world, though, he has a longer-running track record as one of the biggest stars of Britain's... [+] Read More

Acker Bilk -- or Mr. Acker Bilk, as he was billed -- has won immortality on rock oldies radio for his surprise 1962 hit "Stranger on the Shore," an evocative ballad featuring his heavily quavering low-register clarinet over a bank of strings. To the jazz world, though, he has a longer-running track record as one of the biggest stars of Britain's trad jazz boom, playing in a distinctive early New Orleans manner. After learning his instrument in the British Army, Bilk joined Ken Colyer's trad band in 1954 before stepping out on his own in 1956. By 1960, a record of his, "Summer Set" -- a pun on the name of his home county -- landed on the British pop charts, and Bilk was on his way, clad in the Edwardian clothing and bowler hats that his publicist told his Paramount Jazz Band to wear. Several other British hits followed, but none bigger than "Stranger," which Bilk wrote for his daughter Jenny. The single stayed 55 weeks on the British charts and crossed the sea to America, where it hit number one in an era when radio was open to oddball records of all idioms (Bilk gratefully called "Stranger" "my old-age pension"). Released on English Columbia in Britain, several Bilk albums came out in America on the Atco label, and he continued to have hits until the British rock invasion of 1964 made trad seem quaint. With that, Bilk moved into cabaret and continued to have some success in Europe, leading jazz bands, recording with lush string ensembles, and even scoring another hit, "Aria" (number five in Britain), in 1976. Continuing to perform through the 2000s, Bilk slackened his pace so that he could pursue, like Miles Davis, a hobby of painting. ~ Richard S. Ginell, All Music Guide [-] Hide

One of the leaders of England's early-'60s trad jazz movement, Chris Barber (a solid trombonist) began leading his own bands in 1948. In 1954, trumpeter Pat Halcox joined Barber, and with the later additions of clarinetist Monty Sunshine, banjoist/singer Lonnie Donegan, and blues singer Ottilie Patterson, Barber had an all-star crew. Sunshine's... [+] Read More

One of the leaders of England's early-'60s trad jazz movement, Chris Barber (a solid trombonist) began leading his own bands in 1948. In 1954, trumpeter Pat Halcox joined Barber, and with the later additions of clarinetist Monty Sunshine, banjoist/singer Lonnie Donegan, and blues singer Ottilie Patterson, Barber had an all-star crew. Sunshine's hit version of "Petite Fleur" made both Barber and the clarinetist into big names. Although his group was based in Dixieland, Barber has long been open-minded towards ragtime, swing, mainstream, blues, R&B, and rock. He has collaborated with many artists including Louis Jordan, Russell Procope, Wild Bill Davis, and Dr. John, and has toured the U.S. several times since 1959. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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This is an unusual and largely successful effort. Chris Barber's regular band is joined by Dr. John (on vocals and keyboards) for the first half of the CD. The nine selections (except for "Harlem Rag") deal with the subject of New Orleans in one way or another. "Perdido Street Blues" (associated with Johnny Dodds) is a surprise, as it features... [+] Read More

This is an unusual and largely successful effort. Chris Barber's regular band is joined by Dr. John (on vocals and keyboards) for the first half of the CD. The nine selections (except for "Harlem Rag") deal with the subject of New Orleans in one way or another. "Perdido Street Blues" (associated with Johnny Dodds) is a surprise, as it features two electric guitars, yet it does not lose its original feeling. Other highlights include "Take Me Back to New Orleans," "Ride On," and "The Big Bass Drum." The second half of the set finds Barber's band greatly expanded by the inclusion of bass drummer Freddie Kohlman's Brass Band. The large ensemble takes a musical tour of New Orleans, including a jazz funeral, a concert on Canal Street, and various stops along the way. Sometimes the music purposely fades out, as the band simulates marching down the street, fading back in to start the next track. More intimate interludes are provided by trumpeter Pat Halcox on "Buddy Bolden Blues" and John Crocker doing a close impression of George Lewis on "Burgundy Street Blues." The music sounds quite authentic and is continually fun. Recommended. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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Another European Trad (traditional jazz) man, Acker Bilk, updates (I think). We'll give the chap credit for an original tone (clarinet), but with the strings and non-jazz material there is little else here...There were ten tracks, including a medley of his hit Stranger on the Shore. ~ Bob Rusch, Cadence, All Music Guide

Another European Trad (traditional jazz) man, Acker Bilk, updates (I think). We'll give the chap credit for an original tone (clarinet), but with the strings and non-jazz material there is little else here...There were ten tracks, including a medley of his hit Stranger on the Shore. ~ Bob Rusch, Cadence, All Music Guide [-] Hide

The repertoire performed by Chris Barber's band on this CD may be full of warhorses, but the hot Dixieland performances are full of such enthusiasm and high musicianship that this set is highly recommended. With trumpeter Pat Halcox and the reeds of John Crocker and Ian Wheeler joining trombonist Barber on the front line, this band infuses such... [+] Read More

The repertoire performed by Chris Barber's band on this CD may be full of warhorses, but the hot Dixieland performances are full of such enthusiasm and high musicianship that this set is highly recommended. With trumpeter Pat Halcox and the reeds of John Crocker and Ian Wheeler joining trombonist Barber on the front line, this band infuses such songs as "Down by the Riverside," "Swanee River," "My Old Kentucky Home," and even "The Saints" with new life. Dixieland fans should consider this CD to be essential for their collections. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide [-] Hide