Licorice Soul Records

It seems as though Eric Delaney was born on a drum stool. A teenage protégé of the kit, in his early years he played in the big band of the great Geraldo and was soon much in demand as a session player, as well as with his own orchestra.

During the 1950s Eric was the king of drummers, winning all kinds of awards both individually and with his band. He made many appearances on TV and radio including slots on Saturday Club, Thank Your Lucky Stars and the fledgling Top of The Pops - performing the original theme tune. His top-line cabaret performances are manifold, and he has enjoyed a place on the bill at several Royal Variety Performances.

In all, Eric recorded around twenty albums for labels such as EMI and Pye and amongst these some noted collaborations with the equally renowned drummer Louis Bellson.

Eric is regarded as the finest swing drummer of the era and his work on sessions and with his own band continued to gain him notoriety. Down the years many noted players have been through the ranks of the Eric Delaney band and this recording features Brian Tatum on organ, Keith Baldwin on trumpet, Jeff Mason on alto sax, with a rhythm section of Roy Bell on guitar, Al Thorn on bass and Hilson Hatley on the kit as well as Eric himself on assorted drums and percussion.

Eric recalls that the self-titled album was assembled from a variety of live performances with three different band line ups across several tours. At the suggestion of his then manger Norman Thewlis (a noted northern impresario who is still very much in the cabaret business today and who also counted the mysterious Collection under his wing) an album of material was assembled, privately pressed and sold at live concerts. Sadly, nothing more concerning the detail of this is known. Eric made a number of other privately pressed albums down the years and he remains a constant presence on the cabaret and club circuit.

Now in his 80s, Eric still tours regularly and is packing them in as much as ever.