Big Easy

Kermit Ruffins (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 24, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Basin Street Records
• ASIN: B00006FSUG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #224,339 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Here, trumpeter and vocalist Kermit Ruffins has prepared a gumbo of a music that absorbs any influence, yet screams "Big Easy!" He may not have the technical prowess of other Louisiana trumpeters, but they'll never sing about their own funeral and make the listener dance and laugh while doing it, as on "When I Die (You Better Second Line)." Ruffins visits traditional New Orleans with the old standards "Basin Street Blues," "Tiger Rag," and "On the Sunny Side of the Street," and hangs on the modern jazz side with the cooker "Wake Up, Nessie" and a great cover of War's "The World Is a Ghetto." But his hometown is more than just jazz. There's the Latin tinge of "Skokiaan" and that simmering Allen Toussaint/Neville Brothers brand of Big Easy soul that's represented on "Palm Court Strut." For food there's the very cute "Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner" and the title track, an audio tour with culinary delights. Like another great Crescent City trumpeter, Ruffins's taken his horn-blowing gift, grafted it with an undeniably charming gruff singing style, and concentrated on making great records, of which this is one. --Mark Ruffin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Kermit has way better albums..,, February 22, 2008

By	T. Klaase (Orange Park, Florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Kermit is way better than this... Skip this one - and try some of the more recent releases...

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Traditional New Orleans/Louis Armstrong Songs , January 21, 2004

By	Robert A. Morrow "bbqswinger" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I've been waiting for an album from Kermit with these tunes for a while. Kermit puts on some of the best shows in New Orleans & most of the tunes he plays never make it on album. As a result, I've been a bit disappointed in some previous albums. Here, many traditional tunes are included with Kermit's interpretations along with some originals. The traditional songs have been my intro to the legacy of New Orleans music and, Kermit's primary influence, Louis Armstrong. And, by the way, Louis Armstrong played trumpet AND sang.

Listening to this album makes me smile & brings me back to seeing Kermit - "Skokiaan" makes me get up & dance. The BBQ Swingers Live album is a better live representation of Kermit & crew but some of his best songs are on this album. Buy it now & enjoy ASAP!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As seen live at the funcky butt, February 13, 2003

By A Customer

I was influenced to buy this CD after watching Kermit and his band play at the funcky butt in New Orleans. It was a great time. If you like old Jazz with a touch of modern brass, then this is for you... But nothing like going to New Orleas and catching Kermit and the others at the funcky butt.