Customer Reviews

No Regrets

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

 

 

from the first notes to the last verse this album is a redbone classic. fans of the "gravelly voiced" one will love the melodies and ironies of the lyrics and the southern tempo in the songs. nasal and slurred as his style is these songs are tuned to that approach and the album meshes very well. I added this album to my collection due to the individual style of Mr redbone and was not disappointed. he is unique and very distinctive.. A +

Don't let other reviewers scare you off this is NOT a Country & Western set, this is a hot jazz combo set, however it is a little different than his other cd's because it is a "Western Swing" set(like Bob Wills, Hank Penny, & Milton Brown in the 30's). Those who like hot jazz/trad jazz/dixieland, will enjoy this set of hot western swing, that sounds as though it came right out of 1934! Redbone's Bing Crosby-ish baritone(he actually sounds more like Red McKenzie) is smooth as ever, singing songs from a variety of eras, yet he makes them all sound like they were recorded in 1934. The great jazzmen on this cd read like a who's who list in the trad jazz including the great stride pianist Terry Waldo, as well as Béla Fleck on banjo(Vince Giordani is missing though). One of the many highlights of the set is "some Sweet Day" originally performed by Tram, yet Redbone transforms thsi into red hot western swing!!! A truly inspiring set. If you always wanted to know what Bing Crosby would have sounded like with Bilton Brown & His Musical Brownies, pick up this set. And as far as the other reviewers who refer to Redbone as "Country", I'm sure they are confusing his yodeling, which was popular in the 1920's(remember Lee Morse or Emmett Miller). Redbone is very influenced by early country pionerrs like Jimmy Rogers(especailly the recording he did with Louis Armstrong), and emmett Miller, in other words Redbone likes the early jazzy country yodelers, yet he's also influenced by the great crooners of the 30's like Al Bowlly, in any case Redbone's got a sound of his own and all of his cd are well worth acquiring, especially Christmas Island & Double Time. Don't pass this one up.

The first three or four Leon Redbone-albums were a little rougher, but this one is great and sweet. And what a great band: Jerry Douglas on dobro and the likes! My album got real scratchy, which fits the music: you feel like sitting next to a cosy camp-fire. But I'm really glad this one's available on cd. For those who do not know Mr Redbone: it's like you step back into the thirties, and someone picked the best of songs for you and gave it a fresh reading. You've got to like his gritty voice, but for me he's the best. Check out all his other albums: they're all at least good, and some of them are really great.

While most of Leon Redbone's CD are quite predictable for anyone who has listened to his music, "No Regrets" is different because it has quite a few lively tunes such as She Aint Rose that actually approach country and western music. This make the CD a bit of a stand out from all the others.

However, there is enough of the Redbone sound and various musical and lyrical idiosyncrasies on the CD to satisfy any Redbone purest. This CD would be my first choice for anyone who has not listened to Leon Redbone, and for those who would like to interest others in his music.

I was probably first exposed to this artist when he did a 7-up commercial. His arrangements are unique and it is hard to discribe his work to those who haven't discovered him. At different times he is ballad singer, a blues singer, a c/w singer and a dixieland performer. Beyond his renditions and unique delivery,he is easily recognizable. He is the man in the white suit and hat who plays the mandolin. His relaxed delivery made him a natural to sing the theme song for "Evening Shade".

In this album, Steve Martin, in his alter-ego guise of Leon Redbone, gets back to his banjo roots. The material is varied. I like the songs of the old south, particularly "Lazy Bones." Typical C&W style predominates, though, with steel guitar accompaniment and all. Some will like it, but not really my cup of tea.