4.9.08

THE BEST OF PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND


A compilation of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band's Columbia recordings from 1976 to 1988, this 76-minute CD is an excellent introduction to the work of these senior New Orleans musicians. It also testifies to the band's durability as well as that of the music, with only a single change in personnel over the period covered. The disc concentrates on the most familiar repertoire, whether rags, blues, hymns, or popular songs, including "Tiger Rag," "St. Louis Blues," "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," and "When the Saints Go Marching In." There are also beautiful renderings of Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo," taking the tune back to its roots in a New Orleans blues song, and Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia on My Mind." --Stuart Broomer (Editorial Amazon.com)

Classic Dixieland pieces performed in the band style that marks the best of the originals. Unlike some modern Dixieland that has been smoothed out for easy listening, these songs have the authentic old Dixie edge to them. From the growling on Tiger Rag through the piano improvs to the soaring clarinet, this sounds like the Dixieland bands of old recordings. Except, this is one technically clean CD. Fine, fine sound balance gives you the feel of being in the band. This CD gives one the essential old Dixieland sound, banjo included, that was the hallmark of the music which rode north from Storyville on the sternwheelers. --Review by a customer

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