Something of a compilation album from 1954 to 1957, Sporting Life features vocalist George Melly with Mick Mulligan"s Jazz Band and Alex Welsh"s Dixielanders. The material is recorded in a variety of venues, ranging from the Railway Arms in West Hampstead to the Royal Festival Hall, the mix of intimate with concert works surprisingly well. It is the "intimate" tracks that work the better however, allowing George"s unique style to fully come across.