If you’re a fan, you’ve probably heard the record. More Jack Than Blues first appeared as a live CD of a 2006 concert in Frankfurt for the 37th German Jazz Festival with the HR Bigband. But now with the added DVD, you can see that the 19 piece orchestra that sounded so impressive looks like a bunch of scared kids, but plays like a cadre of seasoned pros.
The combination makes for some interesting aural moments. William Bell and Booker T Jones’ “Born Under a Bad Sign” backed by a woodwind section is bizarre, but thanks to Bruce’s usual powerful delivery and a rhythm section that plays more like a power trio than an orchestra, it loses none of it’s muscle tone. Albert King’s version had been out for less than a year when Cream covered it on the studio side of ’68’s Wheels Of Fire, and as Bruce’s performance here demonstrates, his version still gives King’s some good slaps upside the head.
A lot of the material presented here is from the same setlist as his ’93 release of his 50th birthday concert in Cologne, Germany. But the two are vastly different in performance.“Theme From an Imaginary Western” still features a solo Bruce at the piano for a rare reflective and rather low-key moment from Bruce’s usual bombast. But the rest are big productions that still manage to underscore Bruce without overwhelming him. Youthful guitarist Martin Scales does a masterful job playing Clapton’s parts, flying off into new territory on his solos, seemingly unhindered by Clapton’s large footprints imprinted on the material.
“Never Tell Your Mother She’s Out Of Tune” flies by, Bruce scat singing like Van Morrison while tenor saxman Ali Maile engages in a honkin’ call and response conversation with him.
Scales stands shoulder to shoulder with Bruce for the hefty 8 minute rendition of “Spoonful.” Bruce seems to be enjoying himself tremendously, as does the rest of band. The horn players have big grins plastered on their faces during Scales‘ Hendrix-influenced flight of fancy solo. Drummer Danny Gottlieb plays with head bustin’ fervor, not quite as wild but just as hard hitting as Ginger Baker’s work on the original.
“White Room” has a Latin feel, thanks to Colombian percussionist Farouk Gomati.
Bruce seems about to leap out of his skin with joy over what Scales is doing with his solo on “Sunshine Of Your Love,” Albert King string bending licks underscored by Gomati’s frenetic conga work. It’s a fitting closer, no way to follow that even if you’re Jack Bruce. This one’s a keeper, a strange combination that pays big dividends no matter what end of the musical spectrum you’re invested in.