Customer Reviews

Livin' A Tremé Life

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

 

 

The man makes beautiful music,loves to BBQ and makes a proper cocktail. That is this womans idea of a Dream Lover! Thank God for HBO's "Treme". I discovered a treasure in Mr. Ruffin. His music just makes me happy. His jazz makes love to your ears like an old soul record. It reminded me a wonderful weekend I spent in New Orleans in '81. I went to a saintified wedding in the 9th Ward. Discovered what real fresh shrimp tastes like at The Seaport restaurant. (Once you eat shrimp in New Orleans, everywhere else tastes like sardines.) And I discovered hospitality that welcomed me like an old friend. I love New Orleans. This album reminds me of why I do. God bless you Kermit. Now I have got to put more of your albums on my wish list and pass it out so my people know what to buy me for my birthday.

I think that if you like Jazz music already, then you already know Kermit Ruffins, or at least his style, and can provide a much more decisive and musically correct interpretation of whether this is good in comparison to other trumpet musicians.

However, I just appreciate a good musician, and having listened to web radio, I discovered Kermit Ruffins and felt he deserved a try. On the first listen, I was clearly disappointed with my purchase, but also more in myself that I did not have the patience to carefully appreciate everything that went into the album. Kermit Ruffins has a gritty vocal technique that I attribute to a good long life well spent entertaining. His trumpet instrumentals are wonderfully arranged, catchy, and you cannot help yourself but to bounce to any given song.

On the second listen, I can guarantee that you'll appreciate the album more than you did the first time. However, if you want some instant gratification, download "I Can see Clearly". If you are not dancing, then you must be dead.

I lived in the French Quarter of New Orleans for almost 10 years ( Katrina blew me out)
Kermit lived only about 6 blocks away from me in the "Treme" and would hang out at one of the best kept Blue's Bar secrets on Rampart and St. Ann at a place called "Donna's....

Donna's opens at 8 PM and some of the best artists to be found wander in to jam almost any evening of the week, if the music is right and the crowd in the groove it will stay open till 6 or 7 AM ( all for a rippin $10 cover) ..

Kermit is his own piece of music and just undescribable plus you never know who will sit in with him......
So if you are going to the Quarter or NO go to Donna's.
Things warm up by 9 and you better be there if you want a seat......

It will be a great evening, hang around for awhile..It will be unforgettable and if you are lucky you will met Kermit in a bare with tiled floors. that takes a break and offers free food to make you more comfortable and know that very few tourists will be in that room with you,
Oh yes and a beer is not $8 bucks or more with a minimum 2 drinks.......
The poor tourists will be over on Bourban St getting hustled into listing to Rock and Roll and getting their wallets and cells phones stolen by some pimp or hooker.

One hint and this is Vital, if you walk there to Donna's, DO NOT leave walking home after midnight at the latest.
Crime is bad all over the Quarter at that time.

Have the bartender called you a black and white cab to carry only you home safely for but a few bucks.

I lived 4 blocks at the max from Donna's and always took a cab home late at night ( I have a conceal permit but you do not ever want to carry a concealed weapon in a bar there, , you will get busted big time..

The drivers would laugh and say you are smart, "you don't want to get rolled"
Please consider the same for yourself and any friends you have,
Have fun or just buy Kermit's album , It's good chit..

My introduction to Kermit Ruffins came several years ago through a friend who discovered his music on one of his many frequent trips to New Orleans. Since then, I have been a casual fan but hadn't listened to any of his newer music lately until that same friend lent me Livin' A Treme Life.
The first time through I wasn't too impressed but I heard enough that I liked to make me want to give it a second shot. So I did, over and over. What I discovered on a few closer listens is that Kermit Ruffins in many ways reminds me of the masterful Taj Mahal, both in the timbre of his voice and in his musical style. And that's a good thing. Here's what I like best: I Ate Up the Apple Tree, the humorous Hey Naa, the ironic I Got Mine, the rollicking Hello Good Evening, and the very well-played cover of Horace Silver's Song For My Father which I think is the best song on the album. The brassy virtuosity of his band even makes a couple of Top 40 turkeys I Can See Clearly Now and High Heeled Sneakers palatable. The versions here are the best I've heard, you have to give the band credit. About the only thing I find unlistenable is the rap pap of Treme Mardi Gras. What a way to sour an otherwise very decent album.
Ruffins obviously had a good time making this album filled with high octane good-time music. If you are a regular reader of my reviews and like the style exemplified by Taj Mahal but haven't had a chance to hear Ruffins, give this one a shot. You should be delighted!

I love all the styles fo music that New Orleans has to offer but have become a big fan of groups I have actually seen when visiting the city. Kermit is almost as good on disc as in person...the music is true.

I had never heard of Kermit Ruffins until I visted New Orleans. The owner of the bed and breakfast where I stayed mentioned a small place called Vaughan's and said Kermit would be playing there. I went there and saw him perform live with his band. It's a small place, but his performance was off the charts. I immediately fell for his music. He played several tunes from Livin A Treme Life and he had the whole pub rocking. He's extremely talented and I payed a mere $10 cover charge to enjoy the sounds of New Orleans. Boy, did I get a surprise. His style, charisma, charm and talent make him one of the best acts I've seen. He is not mainstream, but he is more talented that most jazz artist I've seen. He sings, he plays trumpet, he DJs and he's very friendly. If you ever visit New Orleans, check out Kermit at Vaughan's. My favorite song from this album is "Holy Cow." It's a fun song that gives you a lift any time of the day. I'm glad I was exposed to such a talented artist in an unexpected way.

I was a little disappointed with Livin a Treme life. I like Kermit's origianl arrangments, and these were very standard. It just dosen't compare to the old stuff.