2006 - 15 April - Chris Barber plus the Soothsayers

[Con Murphy]

Seq - Artist - Song Title - Album - Country - Label

1 - Leningrad - Kto Kogo - Hleb - Russia - Eastblok

2 - Titi Robin - Amantito - Ces vagues que l'amour souleve - France - Naïve

3 - Soothsayers - Follow Your Path - Live in session - UK/W Africa -

4 - Ottilie Patterson - Beale Street Blues - The Essential Chris Barber - UK - BMG/Kaz

5 * - Chris Barber's Jazz & Blues Band - Battersea Raindance / Crocker's Eleven - Down on the Bayou - UK - Timeless

6 - Big Bill Broonzy - Get Back - The Blues - USA - Mercury Emarcy Jazz

7 * - Chris Barber feat The Alex Bradford Singers - Highway to Heaven - In the Beginning - UK/USA - Black Lion

8 - Fanfare Ciocarlia - Caravan - Gili Garabdi - Romania - Asphalt Tango

9 * - Chris Barber - The Weight - Who's Blues - UK - Bell Records

10 - Soothsayers - Ka Ranti - Live in session - UK/W Africa -

11 - ET Mensah and his Tempo's Band - School Girl - A Star of Africa (10" LP) - Ghana - Decca Records

12 * - Esther Phillips 'Little Esther' - Release Me - The R&B Box 30 Years of Rhythm & Blues - USA - Rhino

13 - Vijana Jazz Band - Tambiko - Rough Guide to the Music of Tanzania - Tanzania - World Music Network

14 * - Chris Barber & Band - Ubava Zabava - The Outstanding Album - UK - Bell Records

15 * - Jeff Healey & The Jazz Wizards feat Chris Barber - Goin' Up The River - It's Tight Like That - USA/UK - Stony Plain

16 - Orlando 'Cachaito' Lopez - Redencion - Cachaito - Cuba - World Circuit

17 - Gal Costa - Tuareg - Tropicalia - Brazil - SoulJazz

18 - Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra - Boulevard de l'Independance - Boulevard de l'Independance - Mali - World Circuit

19 - Mahmoud Ahmed - Ere Mela Mela - Ethiopiques 7: Erè Mèla Mèla - Ethiopia - Buda

20 - Orlando 'Cachaito' Lopez feat Hugh Masekela - Tumbanga - Cachaito - Cuba - World Circuit

[Con Murphy]

I was going to make the inevitable request that this one be archived, but that doesn't quite seem enough - I think it should be played on a permanent loop in selected venues around the country, made compulsory listening on the National Curriculum, and possibly even broadcast in its entirety after the Queen's Speech every Christmas Day. Wonderful show.

[RobHall]

Agreed. I enjoyed every minute of it. Also, in the Chris Baber Jazz & Blues Band, we have a further example (see other thread) of a band that takes the name of a member who is not the singer.

Rob

[will vine]

It was great to hear Chris Barber on the show last night, but a pity that he seemed a bit nervy and slightly tongue tied in his attempts to get out all the volumes of information he has at his disposal; surprising for such an old pro. His musical explanations of the Tanzanian track and his familiarity with Balkan material were enlightening, but I just felt he needed time to kick off his shoes and relax into a more leisurely interview. I hope he'll be able to come back, perhaps when there is no live session scheduled.

Charlie's admirably light touch on the oft repeated roll call of the great Americans Chris was credited with bringing over was appreciated but you have to feel that there are stories about touring with Dr John, Louis Jordan, and the like, that have had to be left untold, likewise his connections with the original british pop festivals run by the National Jazz and Blues Federation, and his business and social connections with London's highly influential Marquee club.

Perhaps what I most admire about Chris Barber is that he is the living proof that a man can rise to great heights even given the acute disadvantage of being born in the terminally unhip Welwyn Garden City,
( from whence comes this note). Great show .....thanks.

[Charlie]

Two days before his 76th birthday, Chris Barber made the 90-minute journey from his home outside London to share his undimmed enthusiasms and express still-controversial opinions.

During the show, I was a little concerned that Chris spoke so quickly, listeners might not pick up on all his references. But throughout the broadcast people called in to say how much they were enjoying it, and Con Murphy probably summed up the consensus with this message posted in the Forum at www.soundoftheworld.com:

“I was going to make the inevitable request that this one be archived, but that doesn't quite seem enough - I think it should be played on a permanent loop in selected venues around the country, made compulsory listening on the National Curriculum, and possibly even broadcast in its entirety after the Queen's Speech every Christmas Day. Wonderful show.â€