Rocking Horse Road is the debut recording of Jacqui Dankworth and the Brodsky quartet, bearing witness to a musical relationship that stretches back almost two decades. Jacqui Dankworth is one of the most highly regarded and celebrated vocalists in the UK. The Sunday Times called her ‘One of our finest singers, regardless of category’, whilst the Guardian noted she ‘exhibits a subtle control of dynamics and a voluptuous tonal richness that seems to make almost any material sound special’. Formed in 1972, the Brodsky Quartet have given more than 3,000 concerts around the world, and recorded over 70 albums, covering both the core classical repertoire and collaborations with a wide range of artists from all walks of musical life. The album covers a wide range of material that this partnership has gathered and honed over the years: compositions by Harvey Brough, David Gordon, Charlie Wood and Jacqui Dankworth herself sit alongside arrangements of songs by Björk, Sting, Diana Krall and Elvis Costello.
Martin Taylor is recognized as among the world’s foremost exponents of solo jazz guitar playing. Spirit of Django (1994) embraces the legacy of Django Reinhardt and Gypsy Jazz. Taylor delivers a world-class swinging, virtuoso performance on this, one of his most enduringly popular albums. Among his many awards are a record fourteen British Jazz Awards. ‘A new and entirely original way to explore and extend the musical world of Django Reinhardt.’ (The Observer) ‘Martin Taylor is one of the most awesome solo guitar players in the history of the instrument.” (Pat Metheny)
Track Listing 1. Any Place I Hang My Hat / It's A Grand Night For Singing / Good Morning / It's A Lovely Day Today 2. I'm Shadowing You 3. Crazy Rhythm 4. Primrose Colour Blue 5. We Are the Music Makers 6. You Spotted Snakes 7. Methuselah 8. When I Was One and Twenty 9. Sing Me No Song 10. Triboro Fair 11. You've Got to Do What You've Got to Do 12. He Was Beautiful 13. Turkish Delight 14. Never Let Me Go 15. Hoagy Carmichael Medley: Georgia On My Mind / Lazy Bones / The Nearness Of You / I Get Along Without You Very Well / My Resistance Is Low / Stardust 16. I Want to Be Happy
Personnel includes: Cleo Laine (vocals); John Dankworth (alto saxophone).
Good set celebrating the 10th anniversary of the sensational 1973 Carnegie Hall concert that was an acclaimed two-album set. Laine is a dynamic, versatile entertainer who isn't a jazz singer in strictest sense, but does possess incredible timing and a remarkable ear. Her diction and enunication are admirable, and her stylistic range includes theatrical songs, pre-rock pop, English and Scottish folk tunes, and more. ~ Ron Wynn
