Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra: More Friends

(Herald rating * * * )

Pianist and friend to the famous, Holland again gets a stellar cast: Norah Jones on a moody In The Dark, Bryan Ferry on Havana Moon, the ubiquitous Tom Jones, Stereophonics (a swelling, string-embellished and faithful First Time Ever I Saw Your Face), Ray Davies being satirical, Marianne Faithful (meaning it on Dylan's You Gotta Serve Somebody), Ruby Turner, Robert Plant letting the boogie woogie roll in Elvis-echo, Jimmy Cliff, and more.

Inevitably it's slightly uneven but given the talent it's at a high threshold. Edwin Starr eats the props on Snowflake Boogie, Dionne Warwick sounds slightly burned by the years on the straight ahead What Goes Around, Chrissie Hynde is swamped by the band on Out of This World, and the Blind Boys of Alabama get worked up and secular on the gospel soul of Rock Me.

It's a long and digressive trip ending with Bono in the lounge bar where curtains open to reveal a bloody big horn section.

Label: Warners