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. It was recorded in London on 29 and 31 July, 7 August and 4 October 1963, and released as a vinyl album. What the Dickens! was bundled with Off Duty in a 2012 reissue.
Track listing "Prologue" (2:26) "Weller Never Did" Pickwick Papers (1:58) "Little Nell" The Old Curiosity Shop (2:51) "The Infant Phenomenon" Nicholas Nickleby (2:12) "Demdest Little Fascinator" Nicholas Nickleby (3:09) "Dotheboys Hall" Oliver Twist (4:24) "Ghosts" A Christmas Carol (2:23) "David and the Bloaters" David Copperfield (2:57) "Please Sir, I Want Some More" Oliver Twist (2:01) "The Artful Dodger" Oliver Twist (1:39) "Waiting for Something to Turn Up" David Copperfield (2:46) "Dodson and Fogg" Pickwick Papers (1:55) "The Pickwick Club" Pickwick Papers (3:15) "Serjeant Buzfuz" Pickwick Papers (2:15) "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