Big Chief
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ReviewsThe Observer said:

"The long-established, ever changing Big Chief is an institution as much as a band, bundling jazz, blues and soul in one bag and shaking them vigorously. Unpredictable but always exciting."

See what our Fans are saying, see what the Press are saying

BIG CHIEF
2009 BC Live at The Dignity, Finchley

Self Produced

If ever a band deserve to be heard this is it. Big Chief have been running for over thirty years and along the way they have had some very distinguished musicians in their ranks – Dick Heckstall-Smith and Art Themen. The line-up currently includes Tony Reeves of John Mayall, John Martyn & Elephant Shelf fame.

Led by saxophonist John Fry, the band’s music is a nice mixture of classic R&B and soul in the Percy Mayfield mould, some Afro tinged rhythms, ska and some blues tinged jazz. This live recording captures the spirit of the band and is replete with swing, vitality and several stunning solos, in particular listen out for guitarist Barry Langton. The album opens with Tom Waits ‘Down in the Hole, great tune this, segues into the jazz tune ‘Flute Song’ and then lifts off nicely with a great rendering of Percy Mayfield’s classic R&B song ‘River’s Invitation’, John Fry’s excellent ‘lived-in’ vocal makes this track (readers are recommended to look up Percy Mayfield if he’s a new name).

The album gets bluesier with Duke Ellington’s ‘I’m Just a Lucky So and So’ and other stand-outs include Jeff Lorber’s ‘Tune 88’, and Willie Dixon’s ‘I Love the Life I Live’. You’ll hear some real Afro rhythm on ‘Africa Rag’ and the blues drenched classic ‘I Wish I Knew How it Would Feel to Be Free’ popularized by Nina Simone leads to the conclusion. This is good, it’s totally live; so you’ll hear the crowd and you’ll catch the spirit. I’ve heard this band live several times and they have other gems in live performance. Catch them live and you’ll love them, in the meantime go for a copy of this.

Vicky Martin

Pre-release "2009 B.C." CD review

This is Big Chief's fourth CD release in ten years.

This North London based band of stunning jazz orientated musicians recorded this live in the Dignity, Finchley Central over two gigs in 2009 A.D. The title of the album in no way denotes that the band is a jazz dinosaur, far from it. (I fell into the trap of asking why 2009 BC – B.C. Big Chief... doh!)

Now here are a group of musicians who love doing what they do, done it for a long time, make it sound fresh and make sure that the audience joins in too. Big Chief's take on tracks from Paul Simon to Tom Waits, and Percy Mayfield to Duke Ellington allow for a bit of modernism and jazz eclecticism.

Way down in the Hole allows Chris Fry to prove that his showmanship on the trombone is a natural occurrence. Having had an immersion by some notable musicians including the legendary Barry Phillips, it's no wonder that Chris takes off.

Just a Lucky So and So has a piano solo by Adrian Paton, to do high leg kicks to, along with a cheeky trumpet partnership from Ed Benstead.

Tune 88 is one of those familiar sounding tunes but all of a sudden, it's more complex. Barry Langton swipes out a guitar solo which rocks around the room. Chris and Ed work as a tag team, each knows what the other is going to play instinctively.

Africa Rag brings out another dimension, with its township rhythms and percussion breaks. There’s lilting soprano sax from John Fry; but the climax is Steve Taylor’s drum solo, yes, a drum solo. Who could stop dancing to this?

This twelve track plus CD is purely live; as far as production is concerned, there isn't any. This is what Big Chief does - warts and all, but I didn’t try to find any; emotion and enjoyment took over.

Sian Phillips
November 2009

 

Press

 

Comments from fans:

  • SAS: New album is the tops, reduced pricing too!
  • MG: Not to be missed, I agree with AJB - the Dignity is a great place to see and hear BC
  • AJB: It's all GOOD. The set at the dignity was just the tops, a great location for BC, especially liked 'Compared to what?' Well done Ed and Chris - great line up, great tunes, great atmosphere, miss it and you've missed out...
  • PW: Just great as ever. The new young additions to the brass section are "cool". Can the trumpeter play any Miles? p.s. No Horace Silver ???!!!! Been following since 1979, still there and loving it. p.p.s. The guest drummer was good too (except for the African piece)
  • AG: Jagz is an ideal venue for Big Chief. If you definitely want a table you'll have to have a meal. There's some extra seating, but best of all a dance floor, so you don't need those seats anyway!
  • RB: Big Chief are a lively band - whose talents are best seen in the flesh - i remember a gig in kilburn in 1996 which i look back on with particular fondness. We love Vannessa FRY!
  • HS: A great band; I am happy to hear you are still around
  • PA: Really love the CD, and I'd love to see you live again. I was a regular on Monday nights at the Stapleton and Saturdays at the Pegasus
  • NT: A few years ago I went to the bull in barnes on a sunday night and heard the band big chief from outside. intrigued by what i heard, i payed to get in and had a thouroughly good time, singing all the way home. i heard the name from a friend and decided to look you up on the net, hope you are all well, keep up the cool sounds, hope to see you again soon