High & Wild

Ray Condo & His Ricochets

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 8, 2007)
• Original Release Date: April 11, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Joaquin Records
• ASIN: B00004S7MC
• In-Print Editions: Vinyl
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #268,155 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Nearly three years after their last album, 1997's Door to Door Maniac, Condo and company's flair for blending and adapting vintage material to their zesty retro amalgam remains unimpaired. Their frenetic, turbo-charged approach to the Crystal Springs Ramblers' "Fort Worth Stomp" transforms it from Western-swing dance ditty to bold anthem, just as a relaxed, swinging arrangement reinvents R&B bandleader Buddy Johnson's "Be Careful (If You Can't Be Good)" as hip jazz. And consider Red Allen's 1936 "Whatcha Gonna Do When There Ain't No Swing?" Originally a glib novelty, in Condo's hands it metamorphoses into a searing, passionate, desperate plea. Not that he takes himself too seriously, given the demented Maurice Chevalier-style monologue slipped into the freewheeling vocal-instrumental jam "What Is This Thing Called Love" and unexpected swamp-rock spin on Mose Allison's "Parchman Farm." Amid such excellence, it's puzzling how the mediocre stab at Gene Vincent's rocker "I Flipped" ever passed muster, given an uneven Condo vocal that floats between perfection and near-inaudibility. Faults aside, this album--a mono mix--is their strongest since their 1996 debut, Swing Brother Swing! --Rich Kienzle

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Canada's Best Kept Secret, August 23, 2000

By	Mr. Cary Allen Virgin (San Diego,CA USA) - See all my reviews

Ray Condo & His Richochets are a Vancouver based five-piece combining elements of rockabilly, western swing, honky-tonk, cabaret-style jazz and blues to create the most exciting musical hybrid I've ever had the good fortune to witness. They've put in some long hours on the road the last few years, and I have got to tell you, don't pass on a chance to see them live! Ray's manic energy and eclectic vocal, sax, and rhythm guitar stylings are a joy to behold. Backed by one helluva' rhythm section, Jimmie Roy (steel, 2nd lead) and Steve Nikleva ("take-off" guitar), fly one moment and compliment Ray's vocal delivery the next. Steve N., especially, has a style all his own that is indicative of his background in the jazz genre. How does all of this transfer to disc? Better than I ever would have believed had I not heard it on "High and Wild," Ray's third for the Joaquin label. Each release has been a steady ascent toward greatness, I'm pleased to report. On this outing, songs like "I Flipped," "Fort Worth Stomp," and "Parchment Farm," left me amazed that they were able to top their excellent 1997 release, "Door To Door Maniac." When Ray "channels" Maurie Chevalier (you think I'm kiddin' don't you?) on "What is This Thing Called Love?," I was sold on the fact that Ray rules! Don't miss this one, folks- this music is far and away Canada's greatest single export!