Customer Reviews

Behind the Eight Ball

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

 

 

For years, ETTB has delivered big thrills to audiences lucky enough to have discovered their live shows. With catchy arrangements and a super-tight rythym section, every performance is an action packed event that keep audiences howling for more.

Now, thanks to Colin Tilton's excellent production, that same irresistable experience is brought to CD with this year's "Behind the Eight Ball", along with last year's "It's a Swing Thing, You Wouldn't Understand".

Both CD's are excellent. My favorite cuts here are the first three, especially the breathless "I'm Trumpin'", which should keep swing fanatics cutting up the carpet well into the next millenium.

If you like your swing pretension-free, and appreciate fine arrangements expertly delivered, then pick up these CD's. And DEFINITELY catch them live, preferably with a dance partner.

I just finished listening to "Behind the eight ball" for the first time and was delighted to hear such great quality from a self produced recording. An excellent cd for swing classes. I also own the band's last cd, "Beat me rockin", which is slightly less hi-fi in its production but features some excellent performances by former band members. Todd Royce, aka Todd Royce Morton, delivers some truly exsquisite guitar playing on the cd Beat me rockin that's not to be missed by guitar fans of any genre. The stand out performances on Behind the eight ball come from the rhythm section of Michael corsini and Jon Peckman. Smokin'! Buy it! I did!

I recently saw this Connecticut band perform live in Los Angeles and immediately bought their album (this is their second one, and I've already ordered a copy of their first, "Beat Me Rockin'"). They perform a fun style of swing without posing pretensions of other ultra-hep bands, and the result is a fine dancing experience. They've added quite a lot of southern soul and a bit of gospel to their sound, and it works. My favorite track is "All Talk" and the humorous "Twisting in the Wind" which tells the sad tale of being a traveling band at the mercy of unsymapthetic crowds and bar owners. Their version of "Jump Jive and Wail" is also enjoyable, although I think this song has been covered a little too much in the past three years. Fun stuff, and I hope they get out to L.A. again soon.

I feel sorry for Eight To The Bar for now having to tolerate the fact that Brian Setzer will make millions playing "In the mood", a song they have been performing for 25 years, only better. ETTB's interpretation of dance hall swing is at once authentic and fresh. I love their new cd.

Had the opportunity to see ETTB live tonight. The recordings reflect their live performance. Their original songs are nostalgic and at the same time fresh. Make you want to grab a partner and hit the dance floor.

I must say, Eight to the Bar has done it again. This CD is one of my faves, especially Twistin' in the Wind. It's all really, really good. I love it! (If any of you see this, you know who it is. How many 12-year-olds go to your gigs? ;). )

I feel sorry for Eight To The Bar for now having to tolerate the fact that Brian Setzer will make millions playing "In the mood", a song they have been performing for 25 years, only better. ETTB's interpretation of dance hall swing is at once authentic and fresh. I love their new cd. So does my son and my grandmother.