The Ultimate Melly

George Melly, the author, television personality, lecturer, journalist, broadcaster, composer and musician, now in his eightieth year, has set up home at Candid Records for his latest release The Ultimate Melly. With a stellar cast list joining the irrepressible Mr Melly, including Van Morrison (both for a rocking "Midnight Cannonball" and a poignant "Back Water Blues"), Jacqui Dankworth (sassy and sexy on "The Big Butter And Egg Man"), Digby Fairweather's Half Dozen, The Swingle Singers (who added a sensational re-make of "Straighten Up And Fly Right") and some exquisite trumpet playing courtesy of George's musical partner of the past thirty years, John Chilton. "Melly continues to delight. These days George has honed his larger-than-life stage persona into that of an avuncular and Rabelaisian figure, with his substantial repertoire of jazz and standards topped off with his trademark risqué jokes on the themes of physical and mental decline." - Keith Howell