Rod Watts & Mike Brett - Homemade Jazz Hymns

Saturday 1st November 2003
Rod Watts & Mike Brett - Homemade Jazz Hymns
Rod Watts & Mike Brett - Homemade Jazz Hymns

STYLE: Jazz
RATING 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 8184-7937
LABEL: ICC ICCD72230
FORMAT: CD Album
RRP: £9.99

Reviewed by Tony Cummings

Nothing is more unpredictable than the whims of public taste. Who’d have thought that two Eastbourne wrinklies, who had made home made recordings and sent them in to Southern Counties Radio’s Sunday morning breakfast show, would find themselves with a CD flying off the shelves? But that’s what’s happened and only those locked into the straightjacket of “cool” music appreciation would fail to admit that Rod and Mike have a lot of fun running through songs like “The Old Rugged Cross”, “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” and “Precious Lord”. Tubas burp the bass lines, trumpets and trombones blow evocative lines as if a New Orleans street band was giving a rousing send off to a departed friend and there are kazoos and spoons to keep up the fun. The vocals from Mike are there too to ensure that the old, old story isn’t lost. Only when the guys move away from the old trad sound to a more “modern” approach (like on the jarring lounge jazz “Count Your Blessings”) do they come unstuck. But overall this is an engaging and enjoyable exercise. No doubt more albums will follow.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Sample Track Listing:
1. What A Friend We Have In Jesus [Listen]
2. No Not One [Listen]
3. Will Your Anchor Hold [Listen]

This track data is supplied by the Cross Rhythms CD/DVD review library. Please note that CD tracks may vary according to release region or product version.

Reader Comments

Posted by Hilary Tyson in Chandlers Ford @ 15:37 on Mar 10 2019

Is there any way I can get hold of Rod Watts and Mike Brett jazz Hymns? Can only get a sample?



Posted by Joe O'Neill in Eastbourne @ 13:57 on Feb 27 2011

Rod Watts was my keyboard teacher when I was a teenager and he was a wonderful man who was loved by many. I can never thank him enough for all of the lessons I had with and to get the chance to play with him was a huge honour.



The opinions expressed in the Reader Comments are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms.

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