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JCCD-3060:
“Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams” -
The Easy Riders Jazz Band |
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Personnel: Big
Bill Bissonnette [tb], Fred Vigorito [ct], Sammy Rimington, Paul Boehmke
[rd], Bill Sinclair [pn], Emil Mark [sbs], Arnie Hyman, Mouldy Dick McCarthy
[sbs], John Russell [dm] |
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Reviews for:
JCCD-3060: “Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams” - The Easy Riders Jazz Band JAZZ GAZETTE - Belgium A while ago Jazz Crusade published a twofer "Then And Now"
(JCCD-3037/38). On the first CD we could hear the Easy Riders 1965-66,
on the second the reunion band recorded in 1998. When I reviewed this
set I said that, despite the nostalgia the older band brought with it,
I preferred the 1998 version because youthful elan had given place to
a much more mature approach, nurtured by many years of additional experience.
The tempos were much better chosen and the rhythm was more relaxed. Bill
told us then that on the 1998 date enough was recorded to fill a second
CD. We have been eagerly waiting for the rest of that session and here
it is, giving us the full amount of great music we expected, seventy minutes
of it! Boxell's Jazz Website Warning: This Device Is Explosive; light blue touch paper and stand well
clear. Ok, so this is a CD, so don't set light to it; but this album definitely
is a cracker, albeit not so much explosive as a cornucopia of musical
fireworks. Take for example, ' Linger A While'. This is a lovely Catherine
Wheel of a tune. Now try ' Maria Elena' for the sound equivalent of a
Mount Vesuvius that rises and falls in intensity. Then ' Algiers Waltz';
a Roman Candle tune with coloured sound balls popping up into the air.
'Chicken Ain't Nuttin' But A Bird' is a Jumping Jack with short bursts
of energy taking it all over the place. And so I could go on, but I won't.
All I will say is that this 1998 recording, which includes alternative
takes of two tracks released on JCCD-3038, 'Now - The Easy Rider Jazz
Band', is not a $10 bag of Chinese Cheapies. It is an A 1 display that
will cause you to go: 'Oooo', and 'Ahhhh' and leave you disappointed when
the show is over. Cadence Magazine - U. S. A. Big Bill Bissonnette offers up the musical equivalent of comfort food.
Simple, hearty fare where the emotional associations are more important
than originality or craftsmanlike preparation. This music is full of hearty
hale fellow spirit, musicthat seems more like an exercise in bonding among
the boys than musical expression. The listener is entertained by vicariously
sharing the bonhomie. The repertoire contains the familiar and unfamiliar,
ranging from the old to the ancient. All is played vigorously, with gruff
tones and well-worn melodic turns of phrase. This music can be played
with originality, but not here. That's not the point. Having a rousing
good time is. AMG REVIEW - U, S. Jazz Guide In 1998, trombonist Big Bill Bissonnette's Easy Riders Jazz Band had
a reunion of the surviving original personnel for the first time since
1967. All of the music was released on "Now" and this particular
CD. With cornet Fred Vigorito's playing hinting at that of Kid Thomas
Valentine (although with better musicianship), Sammy Remington excelling
on clarinet and alto (sounding a bit like George Lewis and Captain John
Handy), Bissonnette contributing harmonies, and Paul Boehmke jamming on
clarinet and tenor with the driving rhythm section, this is a heated and
passionate set. True, the musicians are occasionally not perfectly in
tune (though much of the time they are), but the creative and joyous playing
overcomes any technical faults. Bassist Mouldy Dick McCarthy, who is on
three of the 13 numbers, was ailing and making his final recordings. The
repertoire is particularly inspired, including such unlikely songs for
this setting as "Linger Awhile," "Algiers Waltz,"
the rambunctious "A Chicken Ain't Nothing but a Bird," "Daddy's
Little Girl," "Tuck Me to Sleep in My Old Kentucky Home,"
and "Apple Blossom Time." A memorable effort. |
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