Tall Tales

Hot Club of Cowtown

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 3, 1999)
• Original Release Date: August 3, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hightone Records
• ASIN: B00000JNIQ
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #115,016 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz > Retro Swing

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

From the first visceral instant when Elana Fremerman drags bow across fiddle, you know Tall Tales is already an improvement over Hot Club of Cowtown's fine debut Swingin' Stampede. New producer Dave Stuckey (formerly of the Dave and Deke Combo) charges every scratch, twang, and pop from this swingin' fiddle-guitar-doghouse bass trio with the tactile punch of a live gig. The result is that the band's virtuoso mix of old-time fiddle tunes, hot jazz, Western swing, and early-century Tin Pan Alley--everything from "Sally Goodin'" to the Burke and Van Heusen standard "Polka Dots and Moonbeams"--finally comes off as gritty as it is sweet and, consequently, better than ever. Tall Tales confirms that this Hot Club is the only emerging swing-revival band to compare favorably to the masters of swing. And, most impressively, when the group expands beyond a trio by adding trumpet and piano (particularly on an original torch song called "When I Lost You"), its bright future comes into clear focus. --David Cantwell

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HC needs another album, June 11, 2000

By	Vince Mayfield (Yuma, AZ) - See all my reviews

As soon as I bought the Hot Jazz CD, I went looking for Tall Tales. Too bad I found it in the pop section rather than the country or near bluegrass where it belongs. I am totally impressed with this group and play these two disks more than the other 70 or so artists I have, combined. The female singer has an awesome 40's type voice and in a way reminds me of Mandy Barnett. The instrumentals are extremely well done, though I wish they had left "Polka dot and Moonbeams" on Tall Tales a complete instrumental. If you are looking for a western swing album, but don't mind a jazz blend, this is the group for you. They need to get their next album out soon!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fun playing, but hold the vocals, November 16, 2003

By	Ronald Levao (Princeton, NJ United States) - See all my reviews

Bold, joyous playing, at times precise, at times reckless, make this a treat to listen to. But be prepared for some weak vocals (by two of the three band members). Lovers of old country are not sticklers for staying on key, and know there's a great deal of expressive power in the deliberate roughness of Bill Monroe. Vern Williams and others. But crooning that goes flat provokes more wincing than dancing. Still--a talented and fun group gets my qualified yeehaw.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Magnificent music, toe tapping, joyous and beautiful!, August 2, 2001

By	Quentin Sadler "quentinsadler" (London) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I have only recently discovered Western Swing, what I've been missing! I come from the UK, and we only hear the commercial country over here - I have only just heard hank Williams Senior and I am 36!

Tall Tales is the finest CD I have bought for many a year, fresh, hot, uplifting and boy does it swing - put on your dancing shoes mumma there's going to be a ball in cowtown. Do yourselves a favour, buy it... when I play it I get a warm, happy glow.