Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger & The Trinity

Brian Auger has described his music as “Taking a straight line between Jazz and Pop and making a fusion of the two”, probably the first time the term ‘Fusion’ had been used in terms of Jazz and very definitely accurate. In fact, The Trinity were able to play Jazz, Soul & R&B, Folk and Pop equally, and mix them up in a unique manner.

This set is the whole show that they performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in ’68, a festival that had only been created a year before. It features 10 covers and 2 Brian Auger originals – 2 tracks, a version of Eddie Jefferson’s ‘Soft & Furry’ and Brian Auger’s ‘Along Came Zizi’, have never been released before. Writers are as diverse as Nina Simone, Donovan, Booker T & The MGs, Aretha Franklin and The Beatles!

They start almost tentatively with a gentle reading of ‘Soft & Furry’, quickly get into a groove, with David Ambrose (bass) & Clive Thacker (drums) playing an ever so cool rhythm and Auger’s organ filling out the sound, Julie Driscoll sounding sexy with that clear vocal style she has made her signature over the years.
The intensity ramps up on Richie Havens ‘Inside Of Him’ with Auger on piano and then on to a stunning version of Donovan’s ‘Season Of The Witch’. At this point the band are cooking, and Driscoll’s vocals are really smoking. The track stretches out with Auger’s organ pounding and Driscoll wailing – a classic piece of sixties psychedelia that really sets the crowd off.
The set continues with a stunning version of Nina Simone’s ‘Take Me To the Water’ & ‘I’m Going Back Home’ with a full gospel workup on the latter.
Aretha’s ‘Save Me’ follows, a full on soul groove with the rhythm section working hard behind Driscoll’s incendiary vocals.
‘Red Beans & Rice’ loses some of the sheer funk of Booker T & The MGs original, but swings with a really tight groove that just has to be danced to. Auger really giving the track his all and Ambrose and Thacker firing the track forward with a sting.
They follow with a version of The Beatles ‘A Day In The Life’. Strangely instrumental only, with Auger’s organ in place of the vocals.
Auger takes to the piano and vocal mike for Mose Allison’s ‘If You Live’, followed by another instrumental, ‘Along Came Zizi’. Auger is back on organ for Wes Montgomery’s ‘Bumpin’ On Sunset’ and the set finishes on Augers own ‘Goodbye Jungle Telegraph, a chance for bass, drums, flute and whoopee whistle to play solos.

Start to finish it is a wonderful set, showing off all of The Trinity’s talents alongside Julie Driscoll’s wonderful voice.