Colin James And The Little Big Band II CD

Ever since Canadian blues guitarist Colin James released his first swing album a month before the first Brian Setzer Orchestra release, it has been the former Stray Cat--and not James--who has been credited with being the first to bring swing back to the masses. A similar situation occurred with AND THE LITTLE BIG BAND II, which came out in Canada a week before Setzer's Grammy winning THE DIRTY BOOGIE was released in the States.

Colin James does wonders the second time around as he explores the swing canon in ways that many neophytes who don't go beyond the two Louies (Jordan and Prima) don't. LITTLE BIG BAND II finds the young Canadian playing with a band that includes members of Roomful of Blues and Texas organ great Reese Wynans. The result is pure zoot-suit bliss thanks to the inclusion of material by Cab Calloway ("C'Mon With the C'Mon"), Jimmy Wilson ("Jumpin' From Six to Six") and a pair of faithful originals ("Rocket to the Moon" and "Triple Shot"). Although James does a Jordan cover ("Oh Babe"), his foresight and genuine love of this trendy genre clear him of any charges of bandwagonism.

Recorded at Mushroom Studios and Rat's Ass Studios, Vancouver, Canada.

Engineers: Joe Hardy, Colin James, Colin Nairne.

Personnel: Colin James (vocals, guitar); John Wolf (vocals, trombone, bass trombone); Eric Webster (vocals, piano); Al Webster (vocals, drums); Greg Piccolo (alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Kaz Kazanoff (tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Derry Byrne (trumpet); Reese Wynans (piano); Norm Fisher (upright bass, electric bass); George Rains (drums).

Audio Mixers: Colin Nairne; Joe Hardy.

Recording information: Mushroom Studios, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Rat's Ass Studios, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Photographer: James OMara.

Arrangers: Colin James; Joe Hardy; Kaz Kazanoff.

Personnel: Colin James (vocals, guitar); Brian Casserly (vocals, trumpet); John Wolf (vocals, trombone, bass trombone); Eric Webster (vocals, piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Al Webster (vocals, drums); Greg Piccolo (alto & tenor saxophones); Kaz Kazanoff (tenor & baritone saxophones); Steve Hilliam (baritone saxophone); Derry Byrne (trumpet); Rod Murray (trombone); Reese Wynans (piano, Hammond B-3 organ); Norm Fisher (acoustic & electric basses); George Rains (drums).

Producers: Joe Hardy, Colin Hames, Colin Nairne.

JazzTimes (10/99, pp.103-4) - "...Colin James and his 'little big band' roar through 14 songs, many originally recorded by legends of the past....Two originals continue the big, bold, swinging mode..."