Pete Neighbour is that rare thing in jazz nowadays, a clarinet specialist. British born he now lives in South Carolina where this album was recorded and spends much of his time entertaining passengers on luxury cruise liners. This self released album is an unapologetic tribute to the great clarinettist and band leader Benny Goodman and features many tunes associated with him. In his album notes Neighbour also mentions the influence on his playing of Buddy De Franco, Tony Scott and Eddie Daniels but Goodman is indisputably his main man. Neighbour’s accompanists on the record are American musicians Bert Ligon (piano and guitar), Reggie Sullivan (bass) and Jim Hall ( drums). I assume the last named is not the famous guitarist trying something different!

The new album follows 2005’s successful “Friends And Neighbour” which was recorded with top British musicians and also featured Neighbour on alto sax.. Like it’s predecessor this is an unpretentious, good humoured collection spiritedly played by Neighbour and his colleagues. The opening title track shows Neighbour’s nimble clarinet playing at it’s best. He positively dances around the melody with splendidly swinging backing from his three colleagues. Surprisingly this is not a regular working band, although Neighbour’s liner notes express a wish to rectify this situation.
Ligon contributes a lively piano solo on an enjoyable, swinging opener.

“I’ve Got The World On A String” swings more gently with Neighbour’s clarinet adopting a subtle blues tinge. Ligon’s piano swings lazily and the rhythm team provide solid accompaniment.

“More Than You Know” opens with just clarinet and piano and presents Neighbour the balladeer at his best. Ligon is nearly as fine contributing some gently lyrical piano. Hall adds some quietly energetic brush work to the proceedings.

A sprightly version of “Lover Come Back To Me” raises the temperature again with some hot clarinet playing that pays homage to the music’s New Orleans roots. Ligon lays down some sparkling piano backed by Sullivan’s insistent bass pulse before Neighbour and drummer Hall exchange choruses. Great fun.

Ligon switches to guitar for a languid, slow blues version of the Gershwin’s “How Long Has This Been Going On”. Neighbour’s clarinet prowls around Ligon’s gentle guitar chording and the low purr of Sullivan’s bass. The “after hours” feel of the music is highly effective and Ligon proves he’s no slouch on his second instrument with an elegant solo. Sullivan also features as a soloist as Hall sits out altogether.

The drummer is back for a segue of Goodman classics in the form of “Don’t Be That Way” and “Stompin’ At The Savoy”. Neighbour pays brilliant homage to his idol with an effervescent display and Ligon shines again, this time back back at the piano.

Solo clarinet opens a reflective “Memories Of You” which features Neighbour at his most mellifluous, sympathetically supported by the other members of the ensemble. Ligon’s delectable solo fits superbly into the wistful mood of the piece.

“Flying Home”, made famous by Lionel Hampton is an enjoyable swinging romp with yet more great playing from the irrepressible Neighbour and another strong contribution from the impressive Ligon at the piano. Sullivan’s rounded bass tone is also featured in a short solo segment.

The Gordon Jenkins tune “Goodbye” makes an elegiac closer with warmly lyrical playing from Neighbour and Ligon and delicate brush accompaniment from Hall.

“It’s Alright With Me” is a typical Pete Neighbour album, warm, swinging and unpretentious with some terrific playing from the leader. Ligon is the perfect foil and impresses throughout, particularly on piano. The rhythm section is competent rather than inspired but the strong contributions of the two front line instrumentalists more than compensate for that. Fans of mainstream jazz will love this album, particularly those with a fondness for the clarinet as Neighbour excels throughout. To purchase the album visit Neighbour’s website at http://www.peteneighbour.com

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