Reviewed by Tony Cummings

I have to admit that when this album was released in 2001 I had already decided that I didn't really "get" Denver & The Mile High Orchestra. Because of my dad's interest in big band jazz I'd grown up with an interest in the music of Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman and my dad's particular favourites Jack Teagarden and Bunny Berigan. So when in the '90s Denver & The Mile High Orchestra Found a niche in the crowded CCM market with albums of big band Christian music I simply never bothered to listen to more than a snatch or two of their music - the purist element in me taking on the same judgmentalism I had towards white guys singing the blues or American reggae groups. But such prejudices in me disappeared and I've come to grasp the twin truths that good music is timeless and that one nation might originate a music form that they shouldn't be considered the sole exponents of that form. So, here in 2024, I took a less prejudiced listen to 'Act The Scat' and found it an enjoyable musical experience. Denver is Denver Bierman and is a fair singer, a good trumpeter and an excellent band leader/arranger. He and the 18 musicians officially listed as the Mile High Orchestra play well and with flair in a Goodman/Basie style pastiche. Pride of place on the set is "Act The Scat" (based on Matthew 7: 16 to 23) which features, surprise, surprise, some so-so scat singing and there's even a Spanish language version to close the album. Are there intriguing Bierman compositions are "Confrontations" (based on Joshua 5: 13 to 6: 20) and "'Til Kingdom Come" (Matthew 24: 14). A weakness throughout the album is Denver's vocals - who doesn't have a strong voice while one song "Jesus Loogie Woogie" simply doesn't have enough drive in the rhythm section to even get closed to those musical glories of yesteryear, like the big bands of Louis Jordan and Lionel Hampton who were the important bridge between big band boogie swing and rock'n'roll. But no matter. If you, your mum or dad, or anybody else fancy a bit of big band music with a pointed spiritual message, this is an album worth getting.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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