Walthamstow Swings! Courtesy of The Johnny Scott Orchestra

Sometimes, it's the album you most begrudgingly purchase that brings the maximum pleasure. Desperately needing to satiate my vinyl thirst one particularly gloomy Walthamstow afternoon, and all my usual secret sources of vinyl bearing me no fruit, I, heavy hearted, and no doubt with a slightly wild look in my eye, ventured into one of those charity emporiums on the high-street that usually forces me to leave empty handed (and don't we all hate doing that!?) due to its paltry box of records.

When, in this frame of mind, I know of only one technique that can salvage the abortive hunt, and that is identifying "the least worst purchase," and promptly buying it.

And so it came to pass that my eyes fell upon the only record that even half aroused my audio ardour. I applied my "least worst purchase" philosophy, and bought the blighter.

London Swings. The Johnny Scott Orchestra.


"Let's All Go Down The Strand" instantly fills my listening cave with amazing technicolour vibes-I suddenly feel like I'm starring in the opening credits of a swinging 60s movie. I improve my posture, and wish I was dressed smarter. A hip prelude.

"They're Changing Guard At Buckingham Palace" kicks off with a sly Mancinni Pink Panther rip off, then kicks into an easy swing. Some pretty awesome playing on this track. Cooking electric guitar. Madly inventive arranging.

"Chelsea Bridge" Have always loved this tune since Tony Bennett featured an instrumental version on his 1999 Duke Ellington themed collection "Hot and Cool" and Johnny Scott does a fine version here of the beautiful Strayhorn tune. Not sure Strayhorn was thinking of the same Chelsea Bridge that the Johnny Scott Orchestra is though...

"Knocked 'em In The Old Kent Road" Great brass work, this one really builds from a funky little understated number, to a real lip buster.

"The Trees In Grosvenor Square" I'm a glutton for this kind of thing, the title already had me won over. A fine composition, with stately strings accentuating the graceful modulations 'twixt major and minor. Impressionistic use of harp at the end too.

"Limehouse Blues" It must be panto-season at the Palladium at the start of this one. Imagine the music accompanying the slow reveal of the "Chinese Laundry set" and you'll have a rough idea... Great drumming, trumpets, trombones and saxes all buzzing neatly around each other in a densely syncopated score

Side 2

"London By Night" another track I've always loved and sometimes croon on the way home from a late night gig if I'm in a good enough mood. Tastefully handled by Johnny Scott here, with neat contrast between the various sections. Nice trumpet on the coda.

"Greek Street, Soho" One of Scott's own compositions here then, and a cool bluesy, late nite groove it has. Probably the most jazzy thing we've had so far. Solid bass work. Things go crazy in the middle, as the composer conveys the multi ethnicity in Soho through various musical syles (a Latin bit, a North African bit etc) some outtasight vibes playing too.

"A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Sqaure" another London standard, requested in every piano bar in the Capital, if not around the world... Taken at a nice medium swing, all rather pleasant and tea dance-esque, especially when the full brass section kicks in on the bridge. A groovy vibraphone solo bubbles up the second time we get to the bridge however, which I fear would leave the tea dancers a bit disorientated. Class.

"Covent Garden Starts Early" One can almost hear cries of "Big Issue, Big Issue" on this cut. Another Scott original. Really captures the swarm of the crowd and the hustle and bustle of the area. What I love about this record, is that you the listener, never have time to get bored, Johnny constantly revises and embellishes his arrangements as he goes, so we hardly ever have to hear the same section played the same way ever again.

"Springtime In Piccadilly Square" Another fine original piece. This would have been fine as incidental music on an episode of the old BBC comedy series "The Good Life." But its no doubt worthy of far more than that. Great jazzy sax playing on the outro

"London Bridge Is Falling Down" Johnny Scott goes all Brian Wilson "Fire" from the fabled "Smile" sessions on the intro here. Discordant, and intense, a heavy impressionistic scene gives the nursey rhyme an adult re-dux.

This album has officially salvaged my afternoon, what an unexpected surprise. And, aren't they always the best ones...

Details:

Artist: The Johnny Scott Orchestra
Album: London Swings
Label: Columbia SX 6026
Year: 1966