Ben Crosland Quintet: The Ray Davies Songbook review – a fresh glow

(Jazz Cat)

Ray Davies’s tunes – evocative, catchy and deceptively simple – serve his lyrics so well that it’s easy to take them for granted. By recasting them in the jazz idiom and delicately elaborating their harmonies, bassist and composer Ben Crosland brings them out in a fresh glow. He chose just the right musicians to add their solo ideas, too: saxophonist Dave O’Higgins and guitarist John Etheridge (both brilliant on Waterloo Sunset), Steve Lodder on keyboards and drummer Sebastiaan de Krom. It’s remarkable how comfortable these melodies sound in their new settings. Dedicated Follower of Fashion swings ferociously, and who would have imagined Sunny Afternoon with a reggae groove?

Contributor

Dave Gelly

The GuardianTramp

Related Content

Article image
Ray Davies: Americana review – Kink’s Stateside almanac
(Sony/Legacy)

Molloy Woodcraft

23, Apr, 2017 @7:00 AM

Article image
Georgia Mancio and Alan Broadbent: Songbook review – uplifting
(Roomspin)

Dave Gelly

23, Apr, 2017 @7:00 AM

Article image
Judi Jackson: My American Songbook review – a brave musical expedition
Spanning Randy Newman to Nina Simone, the US singer’s medley of favourite tunes showcases her powerhouse vocals, which outshine her backing band

Neil Spencer

11, Nov, 2023 @4:00 PM

Article image
Harry South: The Songbook review – a perfect potted history
(Rhythm & Blues)

Dave Gelly

02, Jul, 2017 @7:00 AM

Article image
Glen Manby Quintet: Homecoming review – stylish hard bop
(Mainstem)

Dave Gelly

19, Feb, 2017 @8:00 AM

Article image
Ben Crosland: Songs of Solace and Reflection review – a spontaneous lockdown reverie
In contemplative mood, the bassist showcases the rich talents of five fellow musicians – and his first writing for strings

Dave Gelly

03, Dec, 2022 @4:00 PM

Article image
Bob Dylan: Triplicate review – a personal take on the classic American songbook
(Columbia)

Phil Mongredien

02, Apr, 2017 @7:00 AM

Article image
Alison Rayner Quintet: A Magic Life review – a beautifully integrated band
(Blow the Fuse)

Dave Gelly

20, Nov, 2016 @7:55 AM

Article image
Alison Rayner Quintet: Short Stories review – memories brought to life
(Blow the Fuse)

Dave Gelly

30, Nov, 2019 @4:00 PM

Article image
Louis Hayes: Crisis review – effortless swing from the veteran drummer’s quintet
Drummer of choice for several jazz greats, Hayes’s own band work together with pure intuition

Dave Gelly

12, Feb, 2022 @4:00 PM