Feature Music Collective: Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Over the past year, I have done several DUTCs that have featured music collectives (or, if you prefer, collaborations, ensembles, companies, troupes, or simply bands) that routinely do cover songs. Some I have featured more than others, like Playing for Change (PFC), Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ), and Hindley Street Country Club (HSCC), and there have been a few entries from the likes of Scary Pockets, HM Royal Marine Bands, and Del McCoury and Friends. In keeping with that “tradition,” I present the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.
The band was created in 2003 by musician Nicky Bomba and radio presenter Mohair Slim in Melbourne, Australia, making them distant cousins to HSCC, another Australian collective. The group has up to 34 members and is led by bandleader Nicky Bomba. They draw on inspiration from many musical legends who over the years have shaped the Ska genre, from the Jamaican movement through to UK Two Tone. They also encompass present-day Latino Ska and demonstrate in their performances a unique Australian vision, incorporating an exuberance and the free-wheeling color of contemporary Ska. Over the years, they have crafted their sound with out-of-the-ordinary arrangements and very seductive harmonies, accompanied by a powerful horn section and foot-stomping drums. In 2013 their eponymous debut album was released to rave reviews. Their second album, Sierra Kilo Alpha, released in April of 2016, was also showered with critical acclaim, and they embarked on a national tour in support of the album. The album went on to win the ARIA award for Best World Music Album. As you will see watching their performances below, the sound and joy they exude when performing is infectious.
The cover song for this feature is, I feel, an unlikely one given the band’s chosen genres. “The Best Things in Life Are Free” is a popular song written by the songwriting team of Buddy DeSylva and Lew Brown (lyrics) and Ray Henderson (music) for the 1927 musical Good News. The song enjoyed a revival from 1947 to 1950, when it was covered by many different artists like The Ink Spots (1947), Frank Sinatra who sang a portion of it (1949), Gordon MacRae (1956), Sam Cooke (1964), and Bing Crosby (1975). The song was included in both film adaptations of Good News in 1930 and 1947; the 1947 film featured the song several times. The two samples below are from the 1947 film, one sung by June Alyson, the other by Peter Lawford.
Good News (1947). “The Best Things in Life Are Free” June Alyson.
Good News (1947). “The Best Things in Life Are Free” Peter Lawford.
“The Best Things in Life Are Free” cover. The Melbourne Ska Orchestra 2012.
My bonus video is the original song “Third Time Lucky,” even though there are at least two other songs that I have found with that title. It is a live performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival, 2014. It is the perfect example of energized performances. Enjoy.
Melbourne Ska Orchestra. “Third Time Lucky” 2014.
Los Angeles 2024
Melbourne Ska Orchestra rock! I had never heard of them before. I feel their rendition of “The Best Things in Life Are Free” completely transform a song that in its original version isn’t particularly memorable. I also love “Third Time Lucky”. And you’re right, the group’s energy is just infectious. I imagine attending one of their concerts must be a ball!
I agree. It takes that song, and not only cover it in a different genre, but transform it into another era, and make it very enjoyable to listen to. I would love to see them live although, at my age, all that “bopping” around, which would be hard not to do, might screw up my new hips!
Yet another great find! MSO really do have a unique sound and I think I picked up that Australian flavour you mentioned. Love those movie clips, man so many actors with great voices seemed to get the opportunity to sing in movies. It’s much less common now I think, even though there are so many with talent.
Thanks Randy. They really do, which may have something to do with the fact that there are so many of them, but they all seem to compliment each other, no easy feat with a big group. I know, those movie clips are something.
June Allyson is so insipid, at least in her performances, she makes me uncomfortable. She may technically have a good voice, but it’s painful to me! MSO? I’ve never heard them before, but I would love ANYTHING they did. Incredible energy and talent and uninhibited enthusiasm. Thanks for this!