Customer Reviews

Stompy Jones

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the third album from the teriffic six-person swing outfit, Swing Session, who officially change their name to "Stompy Jones" with this album. But don't worry, hepcats and kittens, they are still they exact same band that produced the albums "Swing Session" and "Whispering Grass." They still play their delightful, tight swing that spans the 1930s to the 1950s, their "genuine" swing sound is as strong as ever, Peter "Pops" Walsh's vocals are wonderfully bluesy, and "Little David" Rose's original tunes just keep getting better.

This album is probably their most varied to date, covering a lot of territory and styles, but placing their own distinct stamp on each one. The track details are as follows (a * indicates an original piece by a bandmember):

1. Oh Marie
2. Mary Had a Little Lamb
3. Whistle Stop
4. A Woman's Intuition *
5. Close Shave
6. Without You Here *
7. You Can Depend on Me
8. That's Earl, Brother *
9. Mondine *
10. That Wig's Gotta Go *
11. Boogie Woogie on a Saturday Night
12. Can't Find My Baby * [misprinted as 'Fine' on cover]
13. Rug Cutter's Swing
14. Dream
15. Knock Me a Kiss
16. Juke Box Judy
17. Along the Navajo Trail

The first thing I have to say about the album is how impressed I am with "Little David" Rose's originals. He's done good original tunes on the past two albums, but these are his best so far. Three of the most exciting, danceable pieces are from his pen: "That's Earl, Brother," a funny Louis Jordan-style number; "Mondine," with its infectious driving rhythm and Pops's wonderful, yearning vocal; and the start-and-stop blues number "That Wig's Gotta Go," which again show's Little David's talent for humorous lyrics.

The band tackles a few extremely well-known swing pieces from legends Louis Jordan and Louis Prima (two huge influecnes on the band): "Oh Marie," "Knock Me a Kiss," and "Whistle Stop." They impress on all of them, and good ole' Pops proves he can sing just about any style and do justice to the original. They also perform a classic 1930s instrumental from Fletcher Henderson on "Rug Cutter's Swing." This will sweep you right back to the earliest days of dancing and get your feet moving.

But my two personal favorites on this knock-out disc are "Boogie Woogie on a Saturday Night" and "Along the Navajo Trail." The first, a transcription from an R&B vocal group The Five Red Caps, is going to be the big DJ hit from the album, I'm sure. It's fast, smooth, with cool vocals and a hypnotic dance beat. The second is not really a dance piece at all, but a slow, atmospheric nod to the influence of the Hollywood Western on swing music. It's a beautiful mood piece, and Pops again shows what a remarkable singer he is. As Little David notes in his extremely informative liner notes: "Los Angeles' Central Avenue music scene in the 1940s was, in its own way, as culturally diverse as Harlem's of the 1920s," and this final song shows it.

Fans of swing will not want to miss this, but you don't have to be a dancer to love this album. Do you like old time rock? Do you like 30s jazz? Like the blues? Like country? You'll find something to love here, so buy it. I hope that Stompy Jones/Swing Session stays together forever!

(And catch them live if they're ever in your town. They rock the house every time they play and the audiences scream for encores each time.)

It's all in the presentation. The band formerly known as Swing Session marks their official name change with this new self-titled CD, "Stompy Jones." As in previous efforts, this California based six person ensemble explores the diversity of swing with music that encompasses original material and classic covers of bygone eras. The new songs provided in this collection (composed by "Little David" Rose), are possibly his best work thus far in the genre. The influence of Louis Jordan on his songwriting is apparent, and truly enjoyable in energetic, humorous pieces like "That Wig's Gotta Go," and "That's Earl, Brother." Peter Walsh's voice is given the opportunity to stand out on the excellent original "Mondine." All three of the new compositions are highly danceable.
The favored cover material for the ensemble continues to come from two men named Louis (Louis Jordan and Louis Prima, respectively), underscoring the constant affection for jump blues composers among the California swing musicians. Stand-outs include the fast-paced album opener "Oh Marie," a closely loyal cover of "Knock Me a Kiss," and the playful rhythm of "Whistle Stop." Balboa enthusiasts and early era big band fans will appreciate a new rendition of Fletcher Henderson's "Rug Cutter's Swing." This reviewer's personal pick for most played dance track goes to the wildly fun "Boogie Woogie on A Saturday Night," sure to be rapidly picked up by dance deejays everywhere (cleverly borrowed from R&B and repackaged here for the swing scene). The last track on the album, "Along the Navajo Trail," seems to be a curious nod to Western music's influence on the swing world, and though not a dance piece itself, attempts to tie up the idea of what the music is about, in all of its diversity and glorious cultural roots for the enthusiastic listener with a bow.

Ussed to called Swing Session, they have now taken on the name of Stompy Jones. Just like the name sounds, these guys are totally full and heavy of great swing. Can't listen to them in my car cause I just have to dance to them.

Mmmmm, mmmmmm, mmmmm. Another great cd by the best of the west coast swingers. You'll be glad you got it.

14 May 2005 at UC Santa Cruz, we danced with Stompy Jones presented by Swingingslugs the swing dance club of UCSC. I have their CDs. They sounded just like CD, or better. Of course the CD itself is great indeed. I highly recommend this CD to swing dancers and jazz fans.

This CD features their first singer "Pop" Walsh. He has a wonderful, gentle voice. The songs are fun if you like the old '30s style band to dance to. I just can't get enough of this group. You can dance, snap you fingers, tap your foot, and just move to this great sound. Two thumps up on this CD!

This is a great high energy swing CD. It has a good mix of fast and slow danceable (lindy-hop, blues) tracks. It's refreshing to see some excellent quality swing music that isn't in the Neo-Swing category. If only the Swing Session and Stompy Jones had more than 3 CD's. The recording quality is also very good.

This is another good CD from the Swing Session.
Maybe not as danceable as the others.

These boys, it would seem, can do no wrong.

No matter their name, whether it's Stompy Jones or The Swing Session, they're still putting out the same amazing, quality music. Their authentic style reminds me of the old greats, from Pete Johnson to Louis Jordan. They cover some of the familiar tunes, but they have plenty of their own stuff. Even their newly-written music sounds like it must be a cover of an old tune.

I no longer live near enough to drop weekly in on their shows. It's a shame, really. Hard to believe if you've only heard the CDs, but their live shows are even better. Last time I flew in to visit relatives, I somehow made room in my brief stay to see these guys. I just don't hear enough of their music up in Seattle. Looks like I need to buy a copy of each of their CDs for the local DJs. ;D

I'm waiting impatiently for their next release. Or their next trip up to Seattle. Seems I'll be waiting a while for either, though!