Gregory Page And His Big Band Orchestra
Album: Shine, Shine, Shine
Label: Continental Song Cit
Tracks: 11
Website: http://www.gregorypage.com

From the opening bars - sounding nothing more than a version of David Rose's famous "The Stripper" - this album announces itself as a nostalic pastiche of sixty years of big band jazz and swing. This opener, 'Nothing But Trouble', sets the template for the album; Page's orchestra plays arrangements in a style of a fifties or early sixties palais dance band. Meanwhile, its leader and vocalist croons in a soft, high tenor which owes much in its tone and phrasing to his acknowledged idol, the dance band star of thirties England: Al Bowlly. In between, the tunes range from Cab Calloway, forties style, and gentle Glenn Miller swing ('Here to Stay' - especially the instrumental Reprise), to thirties waltzes accompanied by a string quartet ('Somebody Has My Heart). It is an amazingly varied palette (or is it a mish-mash of styles?), which initially I felt was too nostalgia-driven and lacking in guts. It certainly has only limited soloing, and cannot be be regarded as a jazz album. But after playing several times, it is insidiously easy to listen to; and that probably explains why it is actually quite an attractive release - it is easy listening for an age group who relish the music of the era (thirties to fifties), but want something fresh and new.

As the quote on the cover says: "Gregory's original songs bring back memories that we never had". With the exception of Irving Berlin's 'What'll I Do', and a brief reference within the title track to 'Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?', all the songs are written by Page - English born, but resident in California. The writing cleverly echoes familiar swing tunes. 'My Melancholy Heart" sounds incredibly reminiscent of "The Way you Look Tonight". Page's vocal echoes Bryan Ferry's version of the latter tune; not surprising , then, to hear that Ferry has just released his own swing album! 'Here to Stay' reminds you of 'The One I Love', 'Our Love is Here to Stay', 'Night and Day' and 'Pennies From Heaven' combined - with lyrical nods to most of these. The result is charming and memorable tunes of a bygone era. But don't expect an out-and-out big band album. Page's normal trio features himself on guitar alongside piano and drums, and this is very much an elaboration of his regular style. 'Shine, Shine, Shine' exemplifies this well, starting as a gentle trio vamp, but gradually building into a brassy crescendo. 'Heart in my Hand' - lilting guitar picking and the string quartet - could be a sixties country ballad by Roger Miller, with added jangling piano solo by the excellent Sky Ladd. 'My Favourite Time' is a lullaby, with strings and no sign of the big band. Overall, this is a delightful album of unashamedly romantic and old-fashioned charms - for anyone who thinks pop music stopped with Elvis Presley!

Martin Price