Company B – Let’s Shake It
Company B - Let's Shake It
Release Date: Out Now
Now if you haven’t come across
Company B before then you’d be forgiven because Cornish based Swing bands who
dress up as 1940s GIs is a pretty niche part of the music biz. However, by the
time I’ve finished with you, you’ll not only be aware of the seven-piece, but you’ll
be begging for more. The band’s new album is ‘Let’s Shake It’ and it’s a party
starter from start to finish. Take opening track, ‘This Cat’s on a Hot Tin Roof’,
for example, which comes on strong in blast of horns and the kind of energy
that would open up a movie or a glitzy award ceremony. ‘Jim Jam Jump’ keeps the
energy going but adds in some call and response vocal to give it that authentic
40s sound before ‘Let’s Shake It’ gives that brass section a workout to get
your dancing feet moving.
By this point, you should be tapping
your feet so Company B slow it right down with a slinky version of Peggy Lee
classic ‘Fever’ featuring some excellent vocal harmonies and a dirty horn crescendo
that will have you sweating on the dance floor for any number of reasons. ‘Hey
Bartender’ takes the double bass for a walk while ‘Pennsylvania 6-5000’ brings
Glen Miller back with a furious pace which has the spats and petticoats flying
all around. ‘Oh Marie’ gets us jumping
and jiving with a delicious energy but ‘Good Morning Judge’ wins the prize for
the most skittish rhythm section coupled with the most disturbing lyrics.
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| Company B |
Combining an old Cornish shipping
port with Jump-Jive-Swing is not something most bands would attempt but Company
B aren’t afraid of such challenges. And so ‘Charlestown Stomp’ came into
existence with some nimble guitar work and creative percussion to entertain
you. The sexiest song on the album award goes to ‘Bump Miss Susie’ for its
lyrical content and sliding trombone while ‘Clap Your Hands’ hangs around a
square bass line and, well, hand claps that makes you feel like you’re singing
around a camp fire the night before the big push.
One of the biggest and best surprises
on the album is the band’s superb version of Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’ which adds some
serious soul and swing to an already uplifting pop song – it is the best
version of the song I’ve ever heard, anyway. ‘Red Brick Dust’ closes out the
album and the tone changes with an initially sombre thud and chanting vocal
from the seven men of Company B giving this a Deep South vibe which is only
supported by the New Orleans funeral finish to the song and album. Whether this
band finds a wider audience or not is up for grabs but if you’re up for some excellent
musicianship creating even better songs then you’d be a fool to pass these guys
up. A damn fool, sir.
More information: https://www.facebook.com/CompanyBJive/