Diz & The Doormen - Tonky Honk

Gumbofied boogie-woogie fest, made in Sweden 1995

Diz Watson is one of those rock’n’roll one-offs, incurably impassioned about his chosen path of boogie-woogie piano heaven and New Orleans funkblues, while also making stellar additions to the booze anthem hall of fame via sozzled outings such as Cursed With A Thirst. Together with his own boogie virtuosos, Diz became the scourge of London’s late-night clubland in the early 80s, attracting block-straddling queues around the venerable Gaz’s Rockin’ Blues club.

Gaz Mayall himself has written sleevenotes for this reissue of a set which Diz and the boys recorded in Sweden in 1995. Joined by legendary saxophonist Big Jay McNeely, who Diz had encountered on a 1984 session, the group launch into a brace of standards, such as Big Joe Turner’s Roll ’Em Pete and Leadbelly’s Goodnight Irene, along with Diz’s own tumultous realisation of the Big Easy spirit which endeared him to Dr John himself (Happy Man, the deliciously sleazy Lovely Lene). Either rocking out on Little Richard’s I Got It or greasy brass ballad Something On Your Mind, Diz and co excelled at maintaining a tradition which seems to get more battered by the year, making this an essential party favour for those still craving something as in danger of obsoletion as vinyl and smoky basements.

4 stars 4 stars 4 stars 4 stars

Ace | CDCHM 1238

Reviewed by Kris Needs
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