THE AVALON BOYS - SONGS OF THE DESERT

As Heard by Howard Parker

Naming themselves after the singing group from Way Out West, The Avalon Boys bring us a compact disc of songs from our favourite films. However, you should not expect an exact note for note rendition of all the songs.

For example, take In the Good Old Summertime. It starts off as we hear it in Below Zero, but changes tempo halfway through. I was going to say it ends in a definite upbeat mood, but I much prefer the wording in the sleeve notes the wistful opening to this song with acoustic guitars and pipe organ leads into a stomping good-time finale. Quite right, too!! I shall remember that phrase for future use.

The original Avalon Boys (Chill Wills, Art Green, Walter Trask and Don Brookins) are best known to us for At the Ball, That’s All in Way Out West to which Stan and Ollie do their famous soft-shoe shuffle. The new Avalon Boys do not disappoint us with their faithful version. You can almost see Stan and Ollie dancing as you listen to this track. It was a memorable occasion at the recent Helpmates meeting when we did see the boys - Stan and Ollie (Bud & Steve Hodgson) - dancing to At the Ball, That’s All, played live by the boys – The Avalon Boys, that is. The most famous song from a Laurel and Hardy film has to be The Trail of the Lonesome Pine. In Way Out West, of course, Chill Wills and Rosina Lawrence provide the bass and falsetto voices, but, as you would expect from the versatile musical abilities of the boys, they provide their own changes of voice!

One of my favourite songs from Laurel and Hardy films is Honolulu Baby. It is amazing to think that this song was written in just 20 minutes by Marvin Hatley, who also wrote The Cuckoo Song. The Avalon Boys’ rendition of Honolulu Baby is as good, if not better (!), than the original and ends in a stomping good-time finale. I told you I’d remember that phrase!

The Avalon Boys are also very capable of writing their own songs, as is shown on this disc. I’m Looking At You was written en route to an earlier recording session and has a distinct flavour of the 1930’s. Fresh Fish, which presumably has a distinct smell, is another of their compositions and, as you would guess, is inspired by Towed in a Hole!

I think it’s time The Avalon Boys were introduced by name. They are Richard Barry (Vocals & Guitar), Pat Clarke (Vocals & Harmonica) and Dub Blune (Vocals, Guitar & Keyboards). They deserve to be named, as this is an excellent album of music, well worthy of adding to your collection

Listen to it, enjoy it and have a stomping good time!!

Well Done Boys

Howard Parker

Shola Remorez

"There seems to be no style of popular music from the 1930's to the the present day that the The Avalon Boys dont play with consummate ease. This is not your run of the mill covers combo, excellent musicians, classic songs and enthusiastic performances all combine to make this great entertainment. I had heard it would be a good singalong but it was much more than that, thank you we had a wonderful evening."

Barbara Thomas
Birmingham 12/2/02

Lifelong Laurel and Hardy fans, the British trio the Avalon Boys took their name from the vocal group who appeared in Way Out West. The audience reaction to live performances of songs like Honolulu Baby and Dixie persuaded them that a new generation might enjoy these great classics so Songs of the Desert was recorded in March of this year and released in May.

This collection of music from the classic films of Laurel and Hardy is one of the most exciting ventures of the year. There are fifteen tracks, totaling almost thirty-five minutes. Songs like Trail of the Lonesome Pine and Shine on Harvest Moon are there, of course, and there are a couple of instrumental tracks, one called Another Fine Mess. Way Out North and By the Light of the Silvery Moon aren't directly from films, the former being a new composition with the flavour of the 1930s. In the Good Old Summertime is my favourite track.

Don't expect the Avalon Boys to sound like the inspirational group of the 1930s. They don't! Their interpretations are very different. They are without question skilled musicians and the CD is a joy and a refreshing album you will want to play again and again.

Willie McIntyre
Bowler Dessert Tent, Scotland

Great! Thanks so much for the follow up... I think it's great music... and something fresh & classic at the same time.. Fresh Fish sounds Brill!

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