Customer Reviews

Good time jazz for enjoyment and entertainment - By: D. Elliott, 07 May 2001
The title of this CD & the opening track "Doing The Hambone" (composed by Lu Watters) relate to a club named Hambone Kelly's that openedin San Franciscoin 1947. This followed a period of revival of traditional jazz where towards the end of the 1930s many jazz musicians playing dance music for a living had been disappointed & frustrated by big band & arranged swing. Lu Watters & his Yerba Bueno Jazz Band were leaders of this revivalist movementin America.

This CD includes 20 tracks of good time music with instant appeal & with no pretence. The numbers are playedin a lively "Dixieland" style with a strong cornet lead from Lu Wattersin a front line with clarinet & trombone for tight ensemble playing, but also with well taken solos. There is sympathetic involvement of banjos & piano, & solid support from tuba & drums. The resultant performances suit the choice of easy listening material with a preponderence of traditional numbers such as "Skid Dat De Dat", "The Saints", "St. Louis Blues", "Weary Blues", "High Society" & "Muskrat Ramble". In addition to the opening number there are other nicely constructed Lu Watters' compositions of which "Sage Hen Strut" & "Emperer Norton's Hunch" are particularly pleasing. It is difficult to make choices between these & others on the CD, but perhaps the most delightful tracks include the vocals by banjo player Clancy Hayes with my favourites being "Broken Promises" & "Roll Jordan Roll".

This entertaining music was produced because the revivalists took delightin it, & every number on the CD is testimony to their enjoyment. This is "5-star" good time jazz.