What the Dickens!

1963 studio album by Johnny Dankworth, his Orchestra and Guests

What the Dickens! is a 1963 recording by Johnny Dankworth, accompanied by his orchestra and guests, some of the leading UK jazz musicians of the day. It is a suite based on characters and scenarios associated with Charles Dickens.^[1] It was recorded in London on 29 and 31 July, 7 August and 4 October 1963, and released as a vinyl album.^[2] What the Dickens! was bundled with Off Duty in a 2012 reissue.^[3]

Track listing

1. "Prologue" (2:26)
2. "Weller Never Did" Pickwick Papers (1:58)
3. "Little Nell" The Old Curiosity Shop (2:51)
4. "The Infant Phenomenon" Nicholas Nickleby (2:12)
5. "Demdest Little Fascinator" Nicholas Nickleby (3:09)
6. "Dotheboys Hall" Oliver Twist (4:24)
7. "Ghosts" A Christmas Carol (2:23)
8. "David and the Bloaters" David Copperfield (2:57)
9. "Please Sir, I Want Some More" Oliver Twist (2:01)
10. "The Artful Dodger" Oliver Twist (1:39)
11. "Waiting for Something to Turn Up" David Copperfield (2:46)
12. "Dodson and Fogg" Pickwick Papers (1:55)
13. "The Pickwick Club" Pickwick Papers (3:15)
14. "Serjeant Buzfuz" Pickwick Papers (2:15)
15. "Finale" (2:29)

Personnel

Guests

• Tubby Hayes – tenor saxophone
• Ronnie Ross - baritone saxophone
• Ronnie Scott - tenor saxophone
• Dick Morrissey – tenor saxophone
• Jimmy Deuchar - trumpet
• Ron Stephenson – drums
• Bobby Wellins – tenor saxophone
• Ken Napper – bass
• Tony Coe - tenor saxophone, clarinet
• Peter King - tenor saxophone
• David Snell - harp

Orchestra

• Leader: John Dankworth
• Gus Galbraith - trumpet
• Leon Calvert - trumpet, flugelhorn
• Dickie Hawdon - trumpet, tenor horn
• Kenny Wheeler - trumpet, tenor horn
• Tony Russell - trombone
• Eddie Harvey - valve trombone
• Ron Snyder - tuba
• Roy East - alto saxophone, flute, clarinet
• John Dankworth - alto saxophone, clarinet
• Vic Ash - tenor saxophone, clarinet
• Art Ellefson - tenor saxophone, bass clarinet
• Alan Branscombe - vibraphone, xylophone, piano
• Spike Heatley - basses
• Johnny Butts - drums
• Roy Webster - percussion

References

1. "Jazz news: Johnny Dankworth: What the Dickens!". All About Jazz. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
2. "John Dankworth: What the Dickens!/Off Duty". Jazzwise. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
3. "John Dankworth: John Dankworth: What The Dickens! / Off Duty! album review @ All About Jazz". All About Jazz. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2024.