Why Don’t They Dance is Carol Grimes captured in London at the tail end of the 1980s, backed by a band built for soul and blues with real depth. Recorded over the winter of 1988 into 1989 at Sound Partners, the album brings together Steve Lodder and Janette Mason on keys, Mario Castronari on double bass, Mike Bradley on drums and percussion, and a horn-and-string arrangement courtesy of Pete Thomas, Angele Veltmeijer, Jim Dvorak, Sianed Jones, and Robert Baily.
Maciek Hrybowicz, on guitar and harmonica, produced the record and shares mixing duties with Steve Lodder – a combination that gives the album its rich, horn-driven groove, with Grimes’s vocal sitting right at the centre. Backing voices from Ian Shaw, Frannie Kapelle, Violet Williams, Jan Ponsford, Sami El Salahi and Mary Fagan round out a sound that’s as much about the ensemble as it is about the singer leading it.
A guest horn arrangement on “Cool Fire,” courtesy of the Breakfast Brothers, adds one more layer to a record that’s pure late-80s London soul and blues, played by musicians who clearly knew each other well.
Released May 1, 1989
Carol Grimes
Produced by Maciek Hrybowicz for SOUND PARTNERS
Mixed by Maciek Hrybowicz and Steve Lodder
The Band:
Carol Grimes – Vocal, Percussion, Whistling
Steve Lodder – Keyboards
Maciek Hrybowicz – Guitar, Harmonica
Mike Bradley – Drums, Percussion
Mario Castronari – Double bass
Janette Mason – Keyboards
Pete Thomas – Baritone and tenor sax, alto flute
Angele Veltmeijer – Tenor sax
Jim Dvorak – Trumpet
Sianed Jones – Violin
Robert Baily – Cello
Voices:
Ian Shaw; Frannie Kapelle; Violet Williams; Jan Ponsford; Sami El Salahi; Mary Fagan
Horns on Cool Fire by Breakfast brothers:
Paul Newman – Trombone
Noel Langley – Trumpet
Pete Whyman – Alto sax
Horn Arrangements:
Two Step – Steve Lodder
Cool Fire – Paul Nieman
Thanks to the following:
To Kasia and Sam with love, Mcasso Music Productions, Richard Novell Sound Services, Steve Latham and Chris Massey for their generous loans of equipment. Mike Connaris for a lot of encouragement. To all the trucks in Bethnal Green for the sound effects.
Recorded and mixed November 1988 – January 1989 at Sound Partners. Drum kit recorded at David Hunt’s studio.