Customer Reviews

Authentic New Orleans Jazz Funeral

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The soulful narration of Milton Batiste combines with the unique style of the Magnificent Seventh's Brass Band to provide the listener with a very enjoyable first-hand account of a typical New Orleans jazz funeral. While a couple of the songs drag on a little longer than perhaps they should, this 70+ minute CD ended before I was ready for it to. It contains an excellent rendition of Just a Closer Walk With Thee in a funeral-dirge style. I would highly recommend this CD to any fan of dixieland music!

Of all the brass bands, even the old ones by the "original cats", this collection compares favorably. This is one of the rare occasions where you say the band is both loose and tight. (That is a good thing, my friend).

It has three parts, "Wake Service (Gospel)", "Funeral Procession (Dirge)", and "Joyous Send Off (Second Line)".

So you got it all.

What can match the experience of sitting down at the Cafe du Monde to a plate of beingets lightly dusted with white powdered sugar and a cup of black, black coffee made with chicory?

New Orleans is a state of mind. And, part of that experience is honest to goodness, get down Dixie Land jazz.

This is a wonderful cd that brings a bit of New Orleans along with it.

There is only one small criticism. Between songs there is a narrator who explains the different parts of a jazz funeral. The description would have been better written on the cover.

But that is a minimal criticism. The music is wonderful. It makes feet tap. It plants tunes in the brain that the listner will hum for many days.

The Dixie Land jazz on this cd is loaded higher than a muffelleta. And the music isn't fattening!

next best thing to standing on a street corner as they pass by

While the music met expectations, the commentary between cuts was intrusive. These should have been put in the album notes. The one tune I really wanted to hear had commentary all through it. I am sorry I purchased the CD.

As a band leader playing Traditional New Orleans Jazz Funerals I found this recording to be an excellent portrayal of the Rich Cultural Heritage and it captures the excitement and sincerity of the music. These musicians did not strive to sound like old worn out or cheaply made recordings of turn of the century bands, but rather play with all the improvisation and Gusto befitting such a band.

This CD was a present. My daughter went to Tulane and I wanted some authentic music. I was so pleased to get this. The Magnificent Seventh brass band is about as authentic as you can get. the music is simple - the standard tunes played at a N'Owlins funeral - with a bit of narration thrown in. The narrator has a deep gravelly voice and a wonderful local N"owling accent, speaking slowly with great dignity and power.

The tunes feature a very simple parade ensemble, with tasty improv and a nice take on the very traditional repertoire played here. I play this whenever I am having red beans and rice. yum!

The music is beautiful and very impressive.
The lack of a consequent booklet is therefore even more damageable.
This is why the fifth star falls down.