Dukes of Dixieland

Salute to Jelly Roll Morton

Leisure Jazz 04900-91053-2

James B. Scott, trumpet; Al Barthlow, trombone; Tim Laughlin, clarinet; Tom McDermott, piano; Everett Link, bass; Richard Taylor, drums; Guest Artist: Danny Barker, guitar and vocals.

We get a bit of spoken history to help us along at the start and an extra feeling of 'live' playing, with some jumps in the cuts because it was recorded in concert. Probably because of some ad-libbing, there is a bit of mix up in the early tracks - if you think Buddy Bolden's Blues never sounded like this before its because its the Milneburg Joys. But straight into Wolverine Blues - check yourself - are you smiling? Of course you are. This music is infectious. The band plays most of the numbers with a fine, brash, acetic edge. James B. Scott sounds a mean, dirty horn with a sharp and impressive tongue in Black Bottom Stomp. The piano playing of Tom McDermott in Fingerbreaker was exhilarating - such clean articulation and control - I could see the smoke rising as the piano subsided into the stage floor. Watch out for the full tone of Tim Laughlin on clarinet in Sweet Substitute - its always good for a front man to have a trusted and reliable rhythm section; always in safe hands with this lot. Some good style playing from everyone in Tiajuana and Panama showed how well they integrate with each other. Jelly Roll could only be pleased.

by Ferdinand Maylin

Editor: The Dukes of Dixieland will be appearing at the Elkhart Jazz Festival in Elkhart Indiana June 21-23, 2002

Available at Jazz Now Direct CD Store.

Editor: The Dukes of Dixieland will be appearing at the Elkhart Jazz Festival in Elkhart Indiana June 21-23, 2002

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