On this album we feature our 10 piece Big Band with guest spots from some of our favourite singers from ‘round Melbourne town.
Walking Stick is an Irvin Berlin song suggested to us and sung here by vocalist and piano player Danni Smith. The arrangement is by our sax player Rob Glaesemann.
Rob also did the arrangement for Train, a new song by regular singer and contributor, Julie O’Hara. That’s Julie on vocals.
Hallelujah is of course the L. Cohen classic, sung here by our trumpet player Paul Coyle. The arrangement was cooked up by the band in the studio.
Our drummer/percussionist GG Gray contributed 2 songs to the record, the Latin flavoured Coming Back To You was conceived as a duet. Here the ‘boys” low part is sung by the versatile Mon Shelford and Gav does the girl’s part “in drag”. Suitably kooky arrangement by sax player Dean Hilson.
Yeah Yeah Yeah was written by Louie Prima and Milton Kabak and sung here by Hetty Kate. Our arrangement was based on Peggy Lee’s 1951 recording.
It was Nichaud Fitzgibbon’s suggestion we record the wonderful Whatever Lola Wants from the 1955 musical Damn Yankees. Our version is arranged by our trumpet player Alex Howroyd with Nichaud on vocals and castanets.
Boogie Guarantee is another Julie O’Hara tune which she also arranged for small band. Rob Glaesemann re worked it for our 6 horn lineup, vocal by Julie.
Too Hot for Words features GG Gray as composer, arranger and vocalist. The recording features unusually flute (played by Alex) and vibes (played by GG)
Torture was written by friend of the band and occasional guest vocalist Rob Price who requested we ask Mon Shelford to sing it. Another arrangement by trumpeter Alex Howroyd.
Harmless Boogie is a song idea from bassist Steve Purcell, bought to life in the studio by Julie O’Hara’s vocal, thanks Jules!
The Pearly Shells wish to thank Creative Victoria for awarding us a grant for arranging and composition which helped keep us busy and connected during the Covid lockdown last year. The music on this album is a direct result of that support. cheers Steve Purcell 2021
1. Walking Stick 03:50
2. Train 03:37
3. Hallelujah 04:28
4. Coming back to you 02:28
5. Yeah Yeah Yeah 02:11
6. Whatever Lola Wants 04:17
7. Boogie Guarantee 02:28
8. Too hot for Words 02:27
9. Torture 03:18
10. Harmless Boogie 03:19
On these recordings the The Pearly Shells are:
Dave Allardice - piano, Dai Jukebox Jones - guitar, GG Gray - drums/percussion/vibes, Steve Purcell- double bass/leader, Dean Hilson and Rob Glaesemann - saxes, Adam Simmons- Baritone sax, Paul Coyle, Eamon McNelis and Alex Howroyd - Trumpets and Wes Mowson - Trombone.
With guest vocals by Danni Smith, Julie O’Hara, Mon Shelford, Hetty Kate and Nichaud Fitzgibbon.
Guest musicians: Jason Lui Soon (drums- track 2) Shane Rhyll (guitar tracks 8 & 9) Andy Reed (guitar track 2) Paul Williamson (baritone track 5) Andy Swann (drums track 5)
Mixed by Steve Purcell & GG Gray,
Mastered by Colin Wynne at Thirty Mill.
Cover Art “New Hat” by Marise Maas
