Robb Johnson
Album: Gentle Men
Label: Irregular
Tracks: 27 (2cds)
Website: http://www.gentle-men2014.co.uk

As with just about everything else recorded by Robb Johnson, I have the original version of the 'Gentle Men' song suite which dates from 1997 and was part of the Vredesconcerten Passendale series of concerts and CDs which also featured, amongst others, Coope Boyes & Simpson.

I have to confess that I haven't listened to the song suite for a few years. That is not due to any faults with the contents, however, but entirely due to the tsunami of new music I have been listening to recently. Having said that, on revisiting the original as a comparator for this review the songs felt like old friends and I could still recall the great majority of the lyrics in advance of hearing them - such was their initial impact.

The original has long since sold out and, rather than re - releasing the double CD set, Robb has taken the decision to record the suite with some of the same, and some new, songs, singers and musicians. The opportunity has also been taken to reflect recent conflicts that have, tragically but seemingly inevitably, occurred since the suite's first appearance.

For those who are not already aware of subject matter, 'Gentle Men' is Robb's tribute to his grandfathers who fought in, and survived, the First World War. The first thing that is evident about the new edition is the style of the musical accompaniment to the songs. Whilst the 1997 suite was set in a Belgian inflected jazz context the current issue has a more small scale chamber / cabaret feel to it. It would be entirely invidious to pronounce on the respective qualities of each of the musical settings - they are simply different and both, most emphatically, work to support the lyric in their contrasting ways. If I had to discriminate I would say the current edition is slightly easier to assimilate due to its reduced complexity and stridency (though it is by no means unemotional) whilst the original better captures the passion and the co-operative nature of the overarching Vredesconcerten Passendale venture.

As in 1997 Roy Bailey's vocals add authority and pathos as appropriate and Robb's voice is, of course, as fine as ever, whilst Barb Jungr replaces Vera Coomans as the female counterpoint. The musical ensemble comprises guitar, banjo, piano, double bass and euphonium. I am not even going to attempt to describe the differences between the sets of songs in the original and new versions of the suite - suffice it to say that the additions and changes have maintained the work's integrity whilst, as suggested above, also responded to the 21st century context of the current release.

The booklet with the original version was exemplary with high quality paper, photographs, full lyrics and background to the songs. I understand there will be a couple of packaging options with the latest version - the CDs with either a 32 page booklet or a limited edition book. Although the review copy came without either of these, I have no hesitation in predicting that both will be of at least as high a standard as the original.

I am sure that any of the legion of Robb Johnson enthusiasts out there would be happy to have both the original and the new and spend hours comparing the two in detail (as I intend to when time permits). For anyone who does not have the original then rejoice (in the true not debased meaning of the word) at this welcome opportunity to acquire both a superb work of art and an important testament to the futility of war.

Joe Grint