Back on Track
Review by Janine Veazue
I’ve never been a huge fan of the group uniform when it comes to rockabilly or western swing bands. There’s just something about a group of men all wearing the same neatly pressed honky-tonk shirts that unpacks repressed memories of dance recital costume trauma. This isn’t saying, however, that Rhythm Train’s wardrobe assistants should be the downfall of the sweet satisfaction that Back on Track (Raucous Records) brings to my ears. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 5% [?]
Posted on Dec 4th, 2004 by the editor | No Comments »
Settin’ the Pace
(Featuring vocalist Carla Cook)
Review by Doug Boynton
Settin’ the Pace (GJazz Records) from the George Gee Big Band is a fine CD, worth every dime I paid for it. Of course, I got my copy for nothing, and you need to decide if it’s worth 15 bucks.
The band–heavy on the sax, please–sounds much bigger than its listed 17 members. They play with some regularity at the legendary Birdland jazz club in New York, which isn’t a bad reference, at all. Without question, they can be very good; I’m just not sure this uneven disc is one of their better outings. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 4% [?]
Posted on Oct 19th, 2004 by the editor | No Comments »
In Spy-Fi
Review by Will “The Thrill” Viharo
Every once in a while a band like the Metrolites–and there aren’t very many–comes along to remind you how good life can be. This swingin’ lounge combo from Iowa create a sonic tonic for your shattered modern nerves with their smooth but rockin’ cocktail mix of spy, monster and exotic sounds. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 4% [?]
Posted on Sep 28th, 2004 by specialcontributor | No Comments »
Taboo: The Greatest Hits of Arthur Lyman
Review by Alden Gewirtz
Exotica fans, rejoice! With the release of this new Greatest Hits album from Empire Music Werks, Arthur Lyman finally gets his place in the sun. For those unfamiliar with his story, Lyman was a master percussionist who excelled at marimba, vibraphone, congas and bongos, among other instruments. He performed and recorded more than 30 records and 400 songs from the late 1950s until his death in 2002. Although his renown in the exotica genre has been somewhat eclipsed by Martin Denny and Les Baxter, Lyman’s music is more sincere, rarely resorting to gimmicky effects or kitschy arrangements (save for the remarkable, authentic-sounding birdcalls). Continue Reading »
Popularity: 4% [?]
Posted on Sep 8th, 2004 by the editor | No Comments »
Christmas Songs by Sinatra
Review by Frankie Hagan
Before he was the Chairman of the Board and made the words cool and swingin’ synonymous with himself, Frank Sinatra was a skinny young singer attempting to follow in the footsteps of his personal heroes, like Bing Crosby. Newly signed to Columbia Records, he was yet to have his fall from popularity and his return to prominence, or to attain his eternal hepcat status at the centerpiece of the Rat Pack. Christmas Songs by Sinatra, newly re-released for the holidays by Sony Records, collects all of the smooth yuletide standards recorded by the young king of croon during this Columbia period. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 3% [?]
Posted on Aug 30th, 2004 by specialcontributor | No Comments »
Lagoon!
Review by Jason Croft
Houston, Texas would seem like a strange place to find one of the swankest new exotica/space-age pop groups out there, but that’s home base for the talented tiki outfit Clouseaux. In their latest release, Lagoon! (Dionysus Records), the combo proves that exotica is strictly a state of mind. They’ve poured equal parts Martin Denny, Les Baxter, Arthur Lyman, Henry Mancini, Combustible Edison and Don Tiki into a bar blender and hit puree, then added a splash of surf guitar, tossed in a couple of cubes of prog rock, garnished with an umbrella, and served it all up in the coolest tiki mug they could find. Continue Reading »
Popularity: 3% [?]
Posted on Aug 12th, 2004 by the editor | No Comments »
