There are relatively few
Tubby Hayes CD's currently available, making this collection of live performances from Ronnie Scott's club in London quite valuable.
Hayes was a versatile bop-based performer who during the period covered by the set was showing a bit of the influence of
Johnny Griffin and
Rahsaan Roland Kirk.
Tubby is heard mostly on tenor but doubles on flute during
Clark Terry's "The Simple Waltz" and sticks to vibes on "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most." The five lengthy performances (all but one are over 13 minutes long) also include some strong playing by
Jimmy Deuchar (who is heard on trumpet and mellophonium on one song apiece) and pianists
Terry Shannon and
Mike Pyne. Reasonably well recorded for club appearances of the mid-1960's, this CD (whose music was initially released in 1996) is easily recommended to straightahead jazz collectors.