Jools Holland, Book of the Week.

[old_git]

BBC Radio 4 has excerpts from Jools; book being read twice daily. Never been able to get the left hand going on a piano, so appreciate his skills.
Which brings up the question, Pete ever played with him?

 

[Bobby G]

I approve whole-heartedly of Jools Holland, a man with vast musical taste and knowledge who seems to have got himself exactly where he wants to be, which is playing and promoting the music he loves, as well as collaborating with so many great musicians and singers from different musical styles. And he can play a bit too.

Cheers, Bob

 

[suethesax]

I love Jools Holland and will be putting this on my Christmas list. Remember him on The Tube with the pre drugs Paula Yates?

He is a fantastic player too. I know what you mean old git - I have tried and failed miserably to play the piano 😡 and very soon I will be 'babysitting' an 1840 Bluthner Grand for my old neighbour as they are moving and have nowhere to keep it until they find a new house. It will be wasted in our house!

 

[Pete Thomas]

old git wrote:
Pete ever played with him?

Only once or twice on his "Later" show when I occasionally deputised in his big band. I remember one time we played with Sting which was fun, and Courtney Pine was also playing.

 

[rhysonsax]

I really like Jools for his wide taste in music, for his presenting on radio and TV and for putting together his R&B Orchestra.

I'm a bit reluctant to say the next bit, as I do admire him.

But......

Am I the only one who finds his piano playing limited, his singing ordinary and his band a bit sloppy ?

There aren't many acts around like him and his band, but the nearest I know of are The Brian Setzer Orchestra and they seem to be much more polished, professional, varied and musical. Possibly a bit unfair as I haven't seen either band in the flesh.

Maybe I should duck now before the vitriol heads my way.

Any thoughts ?

Rhys

 

[mfox]

i'm with rhys.. jools is a great guy who is committed to his music and helping others..
but he is limited to what he can play well. and I'm sure he knows it too..
but his slighty awkward boogie woogie and ska styles mud up most of the people he backs on his show.
it really came home to me when he made the road trip across america, when he played along side Fats Domino and Dr John..

i really like the guy but he's no Oscar Peterson

 

[Bobby G]

I also think Jools is a pretty limited vocalist, and he'd probably be the first to agree, which I suppose is why he gets a lot of 'proper' singers on his albums; but I think his piano playing is good, or good enough for the context (although Dr. John could show him a thing or two) which is as part of the band rather than out-front all the time, and he is at least willing to have a bash at anything on Later. I can't really comment on any of the albums as I don't know them, but to my ears a bit of sloppiness can be a good thing.

All in all, though, a good bloke.

Cheers, Bob

 

[mfox]

well put bob

 

[old_git]

So he's no Fats, either Domino or Waller, Dr. John or Oscar, and if I may add a few, doesn't have the brevity of the Count, the untutored ability of Errol or the sheer musicianship of Brubeck but he guarantees a good feeling.
Wish I could.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I just noticed there is now a Jools Holland tribute band. Well I never did.

 

[Bobby G]

Pete Thomas wrote:
I just noticed there is now a Jools Holland tribute band. Well I never did.

That is bizarre! Myself, I am trying to put together a Van der Graaf Generator tribute band if anyone's interested.

Cheers, Bob

 

[old_git]

Thinking about a Marcel Marceau Tribute Band but having trouble choosing the PA system.
Advice please.

 

[peter_fitton]

Bobby G wrote:

Pete Thomas wrote:
I just noticed there is now a Jools Holland tribute band. Well I never did.

That is bizarre! Myself, I am trying to put together a Van der Graaf Generator tribute band if anyone's interested.

Cheers, Bob

Great idea, Bob. Count me in - as long as I can be Jaxon

Peter