Sean Trane
Essentially the same album as the About Time Too... So, I'll recopy my review from that album.
A rather confusing album that could be entered under UJ&RO, Paraphernalia or John Hiseman and it’s probably wise to choose the latter. Indeed this compilation of excerpts of tracks taken from both the UJ&RO and Paraphernalia collaboration sees certainly one common denominator in the drummer Jon Hiseman. So this album is a kind of offshoot to the first and official live album of both groups working together, but here it is a selection of drum solos from different concerts during their German tour in 85. Yes, you read right: an album almost entirely made of drum solo, with only a few interactions of the rest of the numerous (16) musicians (12 in UJ&RO and 5 in Barbara Thompson’s Paraphernalia, even if you have to count one less since Hiseman cumulates). So you only get bribes of exciting massive big band and horn section playing and quickly shutting up to let the master of ceremony Hiseman get on with lengthy (up to 15-mins) and sometimes entertaining drum solos. Sounds crazy, enough? Certainly is, but then again it’s hardly the catastrophe you could imagine, and this from someone that generally dislikes drum solos, both in studio or in live settings. Just a tiny precision: I rented the album from my library system, so rest assured that I’m no masochist and would be spending cash on such an album. But back to the album: it’s actually fairly interesting and even likely to be enjoyed by other people than drummers or dedicated Hiseman fans. Of course, if my library system had the real live album, rather than this compilation, I’d probably not be reviewing or even renting the present album. But whatever few moments where the full groups are playing their enthralling swing jazz-rock, it really gives you the envy to seek out the real stuff. Difficult to recommend this album, but it’s main merit ould be that it lead me to more music to discover.