REVIEW: Happy Chappies - classics and standards

Photo: Valerie Bracken

Frank Brooker’s Happy Chappies

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Frank Brooker brought his Happy Chappies to Castleton on the 3 February and a varied evening of classics and standards entertained the fans.

“That’s A Plenty” brought these fine musicians into play with cameo pieces by Greg Wadman on trumpet, Jim Wright on banjo, Phil Campen on double bass and the exuberant drumming of Rod McNamara.

Reedsman Brooker was the main vocalist, and he led off “I Can’t Dance” with glee club and a swinging sax arrangement. A gentle version of “Tishamingo Blues” was enhanced with interplay of clarinet and trumpet and the African melodies of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe were performed in the number “Skokiyan”.

Maestro of the banjo Jim Wright vocalised on “Isle of Capri” with its Rochdale connections and his speciality of George Formby’s “When I’m Cleaning Windows”.

Acker Bilk’s “Creole Jazz” brought Brooker’s clarinet to the fore, and Ellington’s “Satin Doll” featured the double bass skills of Phil Campen.

With lots to enjoy, Brooker performed an Ink Spots number, “I’d Climb the Highest Mountain” whilst Wright sang a Fatts Domino favourite “I’m Walkin”.

It wouldn’t be Sunday without “Lily of the Valley” sung with gusto and Hoagy Carmichael’s “Old Rockin’ Chair’s Got Me” vocalised by Brooker and both the gentler and powerful sound of Gred Wadman’s trumpet.

The driving calypso beat of “St Thomas” let loose Rod McNamara on drums – quite manic really!

The band played out with a rousing marching “When the Saint’s” – entertainment plus.

In the USA in the fifties, a band calling themselves The Firehouse Five Plus Two was all the rage and this has now been replicated by the Fire Hose 1 Jazzmen who visited Jazz on a Sunday on the 17 February. 

Resplendent in red helmets and braces, this seven piece ensemble played a selection of musical excitement laced with fun.

Reedsman Matt Palmer formed a glee club with Dave Leithead on trumpet and Dave Crossley on trombone to perform “I’m Going to Charleston Down to Charlestown” and “My Cutie’s due at 2 to 2 Today”.

“Running Wild” had the band out of control and pianist Malcolm Hogarth joined by Mike Dexter on banjo sped along “The Honky Tonk Train Blues”.

The glee club spread the fun of “Bear Necessities” with Richard Slater on brass bass beating the rhythm. Humphrey Lyttleton’s “Bad Penny Blues” let loose the muted trumpet of Dave Leithead and Dexter’s banjo intro paved the way for Palmer’s clarinet solo “The World is Waiting for the Sunrise”.

The glee club were soon back in full swing with “Babyface”, “Five Feet Two, Eyes of Blue” and “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby” et al.

A plaintive arrangement of “Tin Roof Blues” led in by Crossley’s trombone created just the right blend, and an unusual ‘boys brigade’ presentation by Slater with the popular “Ice Cream” brought applause in profusion.

Great musicianship and entertainment and the band played out with the all flying “High Society”.

“That’s A Plenty” brought these fine musicians into play with cameo pieces by Greg Wadman on trumpet, Jim Wright on banjo, Phil Campen on double bass and the exuberant drumming of Rod McNamara. 

Reedsman Brooker was the main vocalist, and he led off “I Can’t Dance” with glee club and a swinging sax arrangement. A gentle version of “Tishamingo Blues” was enhanced with interplay of clarinet and trumpet and the African melodies of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe were performed in the number “Skokiyan”.

Maestro of the banjo Jim Wright vocalised on “Isle of Capri” with its Rochdale connections and his speciality of George Formby’s “When I’m Cleaning Windows”.

Acker Bilk’s “Creole Jazz” brought Brooker’s clarinet to the fore, and Ellington’s “Satin Doll” featured the double bass skills of Phil Campen.

With lots to enjoy, Brooker performed an Ink Spots number, “I’d Climb the Highest Mountain” whilst Wright sang a Fatts Domino favourite “I’m Walkin”.

It wouldn’t be Sunday without “Lily of the Valley” sung with gusto and Hoagy Carmichael’s “Old Rockin’ Chair’s Got Me” vocalised by Brooker and both the gentler and powerful sound of Gred Wadman’s trumpet.

The driving calypso beat of “St Thomas” let loose Rod McNamara on drums – quite manic really.

The band played out with a rousing marching “When the Saint’s” – entertainment plus.