The March 1957 sessions that ended up on the seven-song 10" LP
Chris Barber Plays, Vol. 4 were
Barber's final studio recordings for the Pye label prior to his move to Columbia/EMI, though he'd do a couple more live albums for the company in 1958. The sound of the group was loosening up a little, albeit not much, while maintaining its format of reverent facsimiles of early-20th century American jazz.
Ottilie Patterson sang on a couple of the tracks, "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee," but otherwise it was an instrumental set, perhaps with greater sonic presence than some of his earlier Pye sides, with more depth to the bass in particular at times. "Pound of Blues" rates as a highlight of their Pye catalog, with its swinging Hucklebuck riff, and the bandmembers sound like they're actually having fun, not just playing the notes properly, on the extended instrumental tag of "Just a Closer Walk With Thee."