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Dave Gold: Heaven On Their Minds
ByHeaven On Their Minds consists of four tunes recorded by Gold's big band in 1974 and broadcast in August of that year on BBC Radio 2's Jazz Club. The band is filled with some of the top jazz players of the time, including baritone saxophonist Ronnie Ross and John Dankworth sideman John Girvan, and these four tunes ably showcase the outfit's abilities.
Andrew Lloyd-Webber's "Heaven On Their Minds"from Jesus Christ, Superstarmoves at a rip- roaring tempo, driven by Les Hurdle's bass guitar. It's a powerful opening statement, laying down the band's swing credentials. "O'Connell Street," one of Gold's two compositions, is named after one of Dublin's most famous thoroughfares. The tune doesn't really evoke any Irish images but it does give a sense of bustle and rush, a strong bass pulse underpinning hard-hitting brass ensemble playing. There's a fiery trumpet solo and a breezier one from the flute (unfortunately, individual soloists aren't credited), plus a light, cheery, opening and closing melody. There's a clear, if unusual, connection between the two tunes on side AGold was the musical director for the Dublin production of Jesus Christ, Superstar in 1973.
Jimmy Webb's "Pocketful Of Keys" is taken at mid-tempo. Gold's arrangement uses the band's full line-up without overpowering Webb's melody and gives the main solo to the flute. There's some of the sadness to be found in Webb's own version, or Thelma Houston's recording, but it soon gives way to a more upbeat vibe, epitomised by the flute solo, before Harold Fisher's drum break moves the band close to hard rock territory. "Nostalgia (Ain't What It Used To Be)" opens in a bluesy mood, led by the tenor saxophone. It soon moves up a gear with some funky bass, wah wah guitar and fruity trombone. Then there's another shift, muted trumpets and electric piano briefly giving the tune a more sophisticated feel before Fisher's drum break signals a return to funk.
Heaven On Their Minds is released on high-quality vinyl as a limited edition of 500 records. For a music lover who spent many teenage hours in the early-70s watching British TV dramas and cop shows Heaven On Their Minds evokes genuinely warm and fuzzy feelings of nostalgia. But that's not all. This is an exciting, vibrant, big band playing some great charts and its appeal goes well beyond a nostalgic older generation.
Track Listing
Side A: Heaven On Their Minds; O’Connell Street. Side B: Pocketful of Keys; Nostalgia (Ain’t What It Used To Be).
Personnel
Dave Gold: musical director; John Huckridge (trumpet); Mike Davis (trumpet); Terry Noonan (trumpet); Don Morgan (trumpet); Roy Huckridge (trombone); Pete Smith (trombone); Chris Pyne (trombone); Maurice Pratt (trombone); Dennis Walton (alto saxophone); Ronnie Mackie (alto saxophone); Ronnie Ross (baritone saxophone); Brian Ashe (tenor saxophone, flute); Derek Gutteridge (flute); Cliff Hall (electric piano); John Girvan (guitar); Les Hurdle (bass guitar); Harold Fisher (drums).
Album information
Title: Heaven On Their Minds | Year Released: 2017 | Record Label: My Only Desire Records
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