My followings of Chris Barber and his Band, began way back in the fifties
when I was at college. His music was so beautiful and enchanting that I made
regular use of his records for spiriting away my toothache problems.

        Just a whiff of Monty Sunshine on the 'old liquorice stick' seemed to make
pains disappear. I saw Chris and the fabulous Ottilie Patterson several times in
open air concerts in London Parks. Lonnie Donegan was no longer on Banjo,
(Eddie Smith then fulfilling his role) but Pat Halcox was always on trumpet.
Graham Burbidge was on 'drums', Dick Smith on 'bass'.

    Monty Sunshine always shone in his 'liquorice stick' (clarinet) with great
solo-breaks and other featured performances. I was then, I believe, his number
ONE fan!! Furthermore, my wife (that was back about 1960) had small daytime
jobs in the London area in which we were staying - and believe it or not - one 
house had dozens of Chris Barber's Band's on its walls!! My wife was doing
the daily jobs around the house for Mrs Sunshine!! Small world, eh??!











  IMPRESSIONS OF THEIR SHOWS
  

Back in my College-days and on into the sixties, I followed the fabulous band
until Country Music took more of my (leisure) time. What with their tight precise
music and presentations - together with the individual virtuosities of their
members, I placed the Chris Barber Band head-and-shoulders above all the
other 'trad' bands around. I DID see ALL of them at some time or another to 
come to that conclusion.  I don't know whether their tight-precision came
from Chris's mathematical background - or what!  With Ottilie - the magic 
became complete.