The Charlie Watts Orchestra - Live At Fulham Town Hall - Vinyl LP

2024 RSD release

Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones' longtime drummer, had his roots in jazz and always loved the music. In 1986 he financed a worldwide tour by an oversized orchestra comprised of seven trumpeters, four trombones, three altoists, six tenors, a baritonist, a clarinetist, two vibraphonists, piano, two basses, cello and three drummers including the leader.

Most of the musicians are English and they include among the bigger names altoist Peter King, the tenors of Evan Parker, Danny Moss and Courtney Pine, trumpeters Harry Beckett and Jimmy Deuchar, trombonist Paul Rutherford, pianist Stan Tracey and Jack Bruce on cello. While "Moonglow" features the two vibes and "Scrapple from the Apple" focuses on the two bassists, the other swing-era numbers ("Stompin' at the Savoy," "Lester Leaps In," "Robbins Nest" and "Flying Home") have the full big band playing a bit ragged but with plenty of excitement; "Lester Leaps In" is a massive tenor battle. Although one wonders how much money the tour must have cost Watts, the music (which mixes together bop players with more avant-garde explorers) is well worth hearing.

Scott Yanow