NOTHING here to surprise - just Jools and his big band doing what they do, blasting out a dancing wall of sound.
This is a second volume of Small World Big Band, which astonishingly sold 700,000 copies. There are 22 tracks in all, from the uplifting Together We Are Strong, featuring Sam Moore and Sam Brown, all the way to the closing track, If You Wear That Velvet Dress, on which Bono reprises a U2 song to astonishing effect.
Too many guests to mention, so let's settle for Norah Jones on the soulful In The Dark, Edwin Starr putting cracks in the floor with Snowflake Boogie and, in a croaking novelty to savour, Huey from Fun Lovin' Criminals hamming his way through Fly Me To The Moon.
Jeff Beck wrings blue tears from his guitar on Drown In My Own Tears, while Ray Davies delivers a biting rant on Yours Truly, Confused N10.
Throughout it all, Jools and his accomplished pals hold everything together in enjoyable style.
Updated: 12:50 Thursday, December 12, 2002
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