Customer Reviews

New Orleans Album

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

 

 

There are so many good, hooking songs on this CD it's impossible to mention them all. I first heard these songs ten years ago and they're still with me, despite the many times I've lost the CD (and bought new ones).

"Don't You Feel My Leg" is one of the most original American songs I've ever heard, and the musicianship is just awesome. I hear this song and am transported back in time -- and to New Orleans mind you...

Elvis Costello's cameo song is also great: "That's How You Got Killed Before" hasn't been covered by any of the new Swing bands, but it should be a standard for once and all.

There's not one bad song on the CD. And so many of the songs have a strong sense of humor so if you're listening to the lyrics more than the horns you'll get a kick there -- but then, the horns are what this thing is all about: one of my favorite mental soundtracks.

The Dirty Dozen Brass band is keeping the New Orleans Jazz tradition alive and well--a cab driver in the Big Easy told me, "We're proud of those homeboys!" And justly so, as they play with non-stop excitement and obvious joy. The New Orleans Album may well be my favorite of theirs to date--with 10 infectious cuts, (um, perhaps that isn't the best word for a CD track in this particular sentence!)--all top notch! Worthy of particular notice is tubist Kirk Joseph, whose incredible energy undergirds the whole CD--this guy never seems to stop to breathe! Lead trumpeter Gregory Davis' tune Hannibal is my favorite, with an absolutely fabulous ending fading off into the distance in an almost spiritual way. The Monkey Speaks His Mind and Don't You Feel My Leg are hilarious. Elvis Costello makes a guest appearance and does a fine job, but personally I prefer the real thing. The "new" swing bands like Squirrel Nut Zippers and Cherry Popping Daddies are fine, and I'm glad to see and hear a revival of that music, but nothing beats the Dirty Dozen. Get this album--if you don't enjoy it, your soul is dead.

I first got this album in 1992. I was immediately hooked. This album is a cornerstone of music that the dirty dozen brass band have helped bring back to the spotlight. One of my all time favorites.

sure it's cathartic to get all melancholy with sad songs, or to purge your blues with existential wailings, but how about having some fun? you need fun music in your life. you really do. and here some is. the dirty dozen brass band make music about as fun as it comes. funky beats, wailing saxophone, bouncy tuba patterns, and so much more: all adding up to a stew of pure soulfullness and joy. i get a great adrenalin rush from this stuff. can't get enough. this album even has a vocal appearance by elvis costello (on "that's how you got killed before") that is most welcome. "buck jump" is my favorite dirty dozen brass band album, but this one is a close second. get 'em both. play 'em one after the other. life will immediately feel better.

whata halfa!.... i mean the kid is a real talented flamer!....the way he jukes and jammies and flaunts the goods... woof, him and the rest of the dozen really got me thinking.. has the whole world gone halfa....hearn's struggling brain mass