Buried Treasure: The Charlie Watts Orchestra - Live At Fulham Town Hall (1986)

Big band - A large dance or jazz band of ten musicians or more, usually featuring improvised solos by lead players but otherwise playing orchestrated music.

When most people think of big bands today they often conjure up faded, black and white images of Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Artie Shaw, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Count Basie and Woody Herman. Those men led some of the more popular outfits whose heyday was during the latter part of The Great Depression and the Second World War - approximately 1935 to 1946. It's the only time in history that jazz was at the forefront of American popular music.

As a kid I became a fan of these large ensembles through my Mother's old, scratchy, breakable, 78 RPM records. My fascination with big bands continued into my early adulthood and was a significant influence in giving birth to any interest I have in jazz today.

Despite the fact he remained with The Rolling Stones for almost sixty years it's been well documented that the first love of the late, great Charlie Watts was jazz. So, when his famous rock quintet became less active in the 80s the drummer had time to pursue his muse and record Live At Fulham Town Hall, the first of nine pure jazz albums he released as a leader.

A lot of time has passed since this disc was released, so I'm no longer sure Watts assembled the largest jazz band of all time as he claimed in the liner notes. Regardless, the massive lineup for this March 23, 1986 concert date included over thirty musicians when the arrangement called for it. The orchestra had seven trumpet players, four trombones, three alto and six tenor saxes, one baritone saxophonist, a clarinet and flautist, two vibraphonists, a piano, two basses, and three drummers, including Watts. Also on board for this show was former Cream bassist Jack Bruce who played cello and two singers who are not represented on this disc.

All of the selections on Fulham Town Hall are originally from the swing or bop eras but these tunes are modern interpretations. Most are played in a loud, loose and robust manner so people who think the mostly forgotten big bands were "square" - a now dated, slang term first used in 1944 to describe people who were out of touch, especially those who didn't like jazz - could be attracted to this set.

Goodman is showcased here with "Stompin' at the Savoy" and again as a co-writer with Lionel Hampton on "Flyin' Home." The latter became a theme song for Hampton, an illustrious Goodman graduate who later organized his own band. "Lester Leaps In" is a cover of an old, Count Basie, small group arrangement that includes a solo from all of this large outfit's tenor players. "Robbin's Nest" was first released by Illinois Jacquet & His All Stars in 1947. All four arrangements use the full band.

A Charlie Parker tune, "Scrapple from the Apple," is a duet that features only the two bass players and "Moonglow" is presented in a trio format with both vibraphonists and one of the bassists.

Live At Fulham Town Hall has been out of print for a long time and can only be purchased at collectors prices. Years ago, I bought a used copy at a very reasonable price but for reasons I no longer remember, I sold it.  I've regretted my decision ever since, and that is why I recently replaced it with another previously owned copy purchased through a third party vendor on Amazon for $25.00 plus tax. Oh well, my fault.

Here is another Bloggerhythms post written around this time last year after Watts' unfortunate passing was announced.

You can listen to the entire album below.