What the Dickens!

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

 * 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)

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