Here are some studio recordings of my songs with me and Mick Pini recorded in Ichenhausen, Germany recently. Recorded at the lb-studio (Tonstudio) by ace engineer Tobias.
“Sugar Man” and “Ever Reaching Out For You” are songs I wrote in the mid 70s when I played in a duo with Mick. We haven’t played them together since then but it all came back to us. A real nostalgic moment. I think the songs still stand up and I am so glad I have returned them to my repertoire. Thanks to Mick and Tobias for all their help. Below is a video of our performance of “Sugar Man” at a gig in Birkenried.
Live studio recording January 2020 Ichenhausen, Germany
I wrote this song a little while ago as part of the Vitallion III project with Mick Smith and Steve Cartwright. It has received a lot of interest from many of Muggy’s descendants and admirers so I have decided to put it on the internet so people can easily access it. Thanks to you all for the interest, it is very encouraging! It is a great feeling when your work has made a positive impact on others.
Come and see Kenny Wilson and Parisian Swing at Leicester Guildhall on 22nd August 2019 8 p.m.. Playing Jazz Standards and Popular Songs from the 1930s to the 1960s. £10 admission. Tickets available from the Guildhall.
If you had asked me where I was on Saturday 5th January, I would have been inclined to say at a club in the heart of Paris. Listening to the band, Parisian Swing, I was honestly transported to another time and place, taking in the rich sound of the 1930’s Parisian Gypsy Jazz era.
Being the first band to perform at The Musician in Leicester this year, they certainly kicked off 2019 with a SWING! The four greatly talented band members performed to an enthusiastic audience that sat at little tables by candlelight and soaked in the atmosphere the musicians created.
Arthur Tyers (Photo: Kevin Gaughan)
With Arthur Tyers and Will Smith on Guitar, Kenny Wilson on the Accordion/vocals, and Mike Whittle on the Double Bass/vocals, this set up was all you needed to listen to some of Django Reinhardt’s most famous songs.
Nuages, a Django classic, set a slow, rich and velvety mood for the couples in the crowd and then the juxtaposition of Mack the Knife, described as ‘a mean song about a mean person’ brought laughter and bounce even over its darker lyrics. Beautifully played with speed and accuracy, each note was phenomenal from the guitars. Smith and Tyers were able to play incredibly fast but each note reached the audience perfectly.
The Parisian Swing Band (Photo: Kevin Gaughan)
Mike Whittle on the bass enchanted us all with his charisma and passionate dancing with his instrument throughout the evening. During the song It had to be you, each instrument had time to truly be appreciated as the focus was passed from the guitars to the bass, to the accordion. You were able to single out the gifts of each of the band members and appreciate how much talent and hard work goes into what they do.
My favourite song of the night had to be Autumn Leaves, originally by Edith Piaf, which Parisian Swing played with beautiful romantic justice. The audience was transported to a café in Paris with Kenny Wilson’s French vocals and accordion tying the scene together with Parisian passion.
Mike whittle, Arthur Tyers, Kenny Wilson(Photo: Kevin Gaughan)
The band played 18 songs from 8:30 onwards with a break halfway in which Music in Leicester was able to interview Mike and Kenny who were buzzing from their first half. With a quick ‘one-two-three’ the band were off in full swing with upbeat lifts that you couldn’t help tapping and nodding your head too.
The band also played Sweet Sue, Honeysuckle Rose, Minor Swing, Just a Gigolo, Douce Ambiance, Lady be Good and After You’ve Gone. The mix was a real treat for the crowd to experience a taste of the best of Parisian Gyspy Jazz.
After two ‘last’ songs from the band (as the audience asked for more) the evening concluded at 11 and I’m sure many people will be having jazzy-dreams for a long time to come!
I wish the best for Parisian Swing and hope to hear them again!
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