Must-Have Compilations
From his long life as a musician and bandleader, which spanned from the formation of his first amateur band in 1949 to his retirement from the stage in August 2019, Chris Barber left behind an extremely extensive musical legacy. During this period, he recorded (almost) countless tracks with his various bands, documented on a variety of records (shellac (78 rpm) and vinyl such as singles and EPs (both 45 rpm) as well as 10″ and 12″ LPs (both 33 rpm)) and CDs, as well as on Laserdisc, VHS, and DVD. The number of studio and live recordings released on LP or CD alone exceeds 100. In addition, Chris Barber collaborated with other musicians and performed as a guest with various bands. These contributions, although sometimes difficult to find, also constitute a significant part of his legacy.
Given the multitude of released vinyl records and CDs, it is not surprising that compilations can be found among them. These compilations often include particularly successful tracks, important songs from a specific period with a distinct musical direction or development, or provide an overview of his music as a whole. Among the numerous Chris Barber compilations released so far, certain ones stand out, especially those that have been carefully edited, include detailed discographical information, and provide further information and references in the accompanying booklets. Thus, in addition, it is possible to provide those who have heard little (or hardly anything) about Chris Barber and his music, but are interested in getting an initial overview, with some pointers; to draw the attention of those who have only followed certain periods of his musical life to other preceding or subsequent periods; and to highlight special editions for those who have intensively engaged with him and his music.
Six compilations in particular can be considered in this regard, half of which focus on specific periods while the other half offer a survey of Chris Barber’s music.
The 6-CD box set „The Nixa Jazz Today Albums“ (Castle Music CMXBX 981, 2004) provides an extensive overview of the recordings made primarily between 1955 and 1958. Although not a compilation in the strictest sense, as it contains the original LPs released during that period, the selected tracks in this box set established the early success of Chris Barber’s Jazz Band. They include some of his most well-known numbers and formed the basis for further development and distinction. Moreover, this box set illustrates Chris Barber’s chosen approach, as three CDs feature live concert recordings while the tracks on the remaining three CDs were recorded in the studio. Recordings of his concerts have been released repeatedly and constitute a considerable part of his musical legacy.
The box set „The Nixa Jazz Today Albums“ is complemented by the CD „The Best of Chris Barber’s Jazz Band“ (EMI gold 7243 5 40181 2 1, 2002), which includes recordings from 1954 as well as the first half of the 1960s. It notably features some special and hard-to-find contributions by Ottilie Patterson, including sonnets by William Shakespeare that Ottilie had set to music in honor of his 400th birthday.
Similar to “The Nixa Jazz Today Albums”, the double CD “The Very Best of Chris Barber” (Bell Records BLR 89 022, 2007) can be regarded as an example of his chosen approach. Since the beginning of his leadership, Chris Barber had regularly invited other musicians to sit in with his band on stage or in the studio. This openness to guest appearances is also reflected in the double CD, which begins with recordings Chris Barber made in the early 1970s with British rock musicians. This demonstrates his willingness to embrace current musical trends and expand his traditional jazz by incorporating new musical currents. Furthermore, throughout his career, Chris Barber always emphasized optimal sound quality for his recordings, whether in the studio or live on stage.
As a result, he always kept an interest in the corresponding technological developments. This included techniques like direct cutting (direct-to-disc recording), where the sound signals from the microphone are directly cut onto lacquer or copper foil using a cutting machine. Such audiophile editions are featured by excellent sound quality. Thus, he recorded a series of tracks using this technique in the late 1970s, some of which can be found on this double CD.
After his retirement from the stage in August 2019 and his passing in March 2021, several compilations were released that provide a retrospective of his musical life and work. First and foremost is the CD „A Life On The Road – Chris Barber In Retrospect with Ottilie Patterson“ (Upbeat URCD302, 2020), which offers an initial survey. The selection of tracks focuses on Chris Barber’s early years, exemplifying the period from 1953 to 1963, and including studio as well as many live recordings.
Much more extensive and detailed are two CD box sets released in 2021 and 2022. The 4- CD box set „Chris Barber – A Tailblazer’s Legacy“ (The Last Music Company LMCD227, 2021) presents his musical legacy with 69 tracks, some of which are being released for the first time. These tracks cover the period from his first studio recording, „Stomp Off, Let’s Go“, in October 1951 to his last, previously unreleased recording, „Savoy Blues,“ from 2018. The musical content is supplemented by a 90-page booklet extensively illustrated with 150 images, providing detailed insights into his life as a musician and his passion as a race car driver.
Even more demanding and detailed is the 6-CD box set „Just Once More For All Time – A History of Chris Barber’s Bands 1949-2008“ (Lake Records LACD364, 2022). This box set was compiled and designed by Paul Adams of Lake Records with a great deal of work, effort and appreciation. It traces the history of his bands in four periods, each dedicated to a specific time frame and highlighting the musical developments during that time (CD 1 to CD 4). CD 5 focuses on the various soloists and their contributions, while CD 6 contains special rarities. In total, it includes 109 tracks, of which – and that’s the great uniqueness of this box set – 105 tracks are being released for the first time. However, the compilation does include a number of tracks that were previously recorded and released, but they now appear in alternative versions.
For that reason this excellent 6-CD box set allows for in-depth insights and comparisons, enabling the exploration of Chris Barber’s musical legacy by revealing developments and directions. Another distinctive feature of this box set is the accompanying 80-page hardbound booklet, illustrated with numerous photographs. This meticulously crafted book provides a detailed account of the history of Chris Barber’s bands, their development and their music, including highly detailed discographical information. It truly serves as an appropriate and dignified tribute to the musical life and work of Chris Barber and his bands.
The above-mentioned compilations and box sets can be purchased (either new or second-hand) from local and online retailers, as well as via well-known internet platforms.
Dr. Peter Brennecke, January 12, 2024