Search - Danny Thompson :: Whatever's Best

A sound compilation from a most distinctive bassist

Gavin Wilson | 02/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the rock world, Danny Thompson has played with several of the great British artists. John Martyn's 1973 masterpiece SOLID AIR comes particularly strongly to mind. But Thompson has also recorded several solo album during his career.This compilation takes much of its material from the sadly deleted Island Antilles CD, WHATEVER NEXT. It had one of the weirdest line-ups of any band in any musical segment: bassist, guitarist, and two reedsmen. No drummer, no keyboard player, but fantastic stuff (largely). It was such an eclectic folk/jazz crossover that it needed heavy promotion down unusual channels -- e.g. on classical radio stations. From that album, you get 'Dargai', 'Hopdance', 'Beanpole' and 'Sandanska Oro', all wonderful. Sadly what you don't get is the marvellous 'Full English Basket'. In a way, it's a shame that this album and that one were released solely under Thompson's name, because they were superb group efforts.If you like mid-period Gentle Giant, or early Gryphon, or even the outstanding JOURNEY'S END by bassist Miroslav Vitous, then you stand a fair chance of liking this."