sweet, low-down dirty jazz
author: Nancy St.Romain
totally authentic new orleans-style early jazz. no 'cool jazz' or jazz fusion influences here, this unique CD resists the impulse to update or modernize. Alice and her boys NAILED the old-time jazz sound - when i listen to it i can almost see myself in a speakeasy.
great sound on this recording, by the way.
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Who needs drums
author: John Paquette
... with this pianist, this banjo player, and this Helicon (tuba) player? All fantastic, committed, driving players.
Alice Spencer's vocals make it hard to tell whether these tunes are new or old. They could have been written yesterday, or 90 years ago, but she sings them all as if she wrote them. It's cabaret singing with a modern touch, and virtually inimitable. No-one I've heard is like Alice Spencer.
The clarinet player is basically the lead guitar in this group. He does a great job carrying the melody when Alice isn't singing, and he even improvises while she sings, without getting in the way at all. Very tasteful.
The material may be retro, but the delivery is timeless.
Hard to miss with this CD.
Alice, please record some more, or I'll have to travel.
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Fun CD to own
author: Mike Janecek
As a long time Alice Spencer Fan that had "lost touch" since the Geyer Street Sheiks, I was enthusiastically waiting for this CD to come. She and the band sound great. I would have given this 5 stars if there was a little more variety (a little monotony here and there). But I really like it and I'm glad I bought it.
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Enthusiastic, Expressive Trad Jazz
author: John Paquette
Alice Spencer is the genuine article. She delivers these songs as if they were written yesterday. It's only the orchestration and arrangements here that are old-timey. The Helicon (small tuba) makes everything very bouncy and danceable.
Even though this is Trad jazz, the loyalty to tradition doesn't suppress any expression. It's clear these musicians love doing what they do, and they effectively share their excitement (and respect for the music) with the listener.
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