The Jim Cullum Jazz Band - Honky Tonk Train: The Boogie Woogie Craze

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:19
Size: 112.9 MB
Styles: New Orleans jazz
Year: 2004
Art: Front

[5:10] 1. Narrative New Orleans Hop Scop Blues
[4:47] 2. Jungle Blues
[3:19] 3. Pinetop's Boogie Woogie
[2:13] 4. Narrative
[5:26] 5. Jammin' The Boogie
[4:03] 6. Honky Tonk Train
[3:58] 7. Riverwalk Blues
[5:01] 8. Celestial Express
[3:50] 9. Interview
[4:42] 10. Roll 'em
[3:26] 11. Beat Me Daddy, Eight To The Bar
[3:17] 12. Boogie Woogie On St. Louis Blues

This entry in the valuable series of Jim Cullum radio broadcasts ("Riverwalk, Live from the Landing") focuses on the history of boogie-woogie. There is some narration, with excerpts from some historical recordings and lots of exciting piano from Dick Hyman and John Sheridan. Cullum's hot jazz band (a septet with the cornetist/leader, Sheridan, clarinetist Allan Vache and trombonist Mike Pittsley) has several romps, including "Jammin' the Boogie," "Roll 'Em" and "Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar." Most intriguing is "Celestial Express," in which Hyman switches to celeste and is joined in a quartet by Vache, guitarist Howard Elkins and bassist Don Mopsick. Fun music that is easily recommended. ~Scott Yanow

Honky Tonk Train: The Boogie Woogie Craze

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The Jim Cullum Jazz Band - Fireworks! Red Hot & Blues

Styles: Early jazz, Dixieland
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:17
Size: 133,8 MB
Art: Front

(4:48)  1. South Rampart Street Parade
(3:20)  2. Dr. Jazz
(4:52)  3. Fireworks
(3:10)  4. Memphis Blues
(2:14)  5. Doin' The New Low Down
(3:08)  6. Grandpa's Spells
(2:57)  7. Ring Dem Bells
(4:40)  8. Honky Tonk Music
(3:21)  9. It Don't Mean A Thing
(4:01) 10. Seven Come Eleven
(2:17) 11. A Dollar For A Dime
(3:18) 12. My Heart
(2:57) 13. Mumbles
(4:08) 14. Burnin' The Iceberg
(7:59) 15. St. Louis Blues

Riverwalk, Live from the Landing has since its debut in 1988 been one of the finest of all jazz radio series. Featuring cornetist Jim Cullum's excellent septet with a variety of guests, each show is well-scripted, educational and entertaining, generally based around a specific theme. This particular set is an excellent sampler of the series. The Jim Cullum Jazz band (featuring trombonist Mike Pittsley, either Brian Oglivie or Allan Vache on clarinet and pianist John Sheridan) has three numbers to themselves (including a brilliant version of "Fireworks") and is joined by such notable guests as pianist Dick Hyman, bassist Bob Haggart, singer Vernel Bagneris (heard on "Dr. Jazz"), tap dancer Savion Glover (who follows an excerpt from a 1932 recording of Bill Bojangles Robinson on "Doin' the New Lowdown"), cornetist Leon Oakley, Linda Hopkins (who sings "St. Louis Blues") and the great Clark Terry (on "It Don't Mean a Thing" and "Mumbles"). 

In addition, Hyman and Sheridan engage in a heated piano duet on "Grandpa's Spells," Lionel Hampton jams "7 Come 11," clarinetist Ken Peplowski romps through "Ring Dem Bells" and Joe Williams signs a tender version of Eubie Blake's "A Dollar for a Dime" in a duet with pianist Sheridan. All 15 selections are quite enjoyable, the radio audience is rightfully enthusiastic and this CD has more than its share of highpoints. Highly recommended to classic jazz fans. ~ Scott Yanow   http://www.allmusic.com/album/fireworks!-red-hot-blues-mw0000088577

Personnel: Jim Cullum, Jr. (cornet); Clark Terry (vocals, violin, flugelhorn); Joe Williams , Linda Hopkins, Vernel Bagneris (vocals); Howard Elkins (guitar, banjo); Mike Walbridge (tamboura); Ken Peplowski, Allan Vaché (clarinet); Leon Oakley (cornet); Mike Pittsley (trombone); Dick Hyman, John Sheridan (piano); Lionel Hampton (vibraphone); Ed Torres (drums).

Fireworks! Red Hot & Blues

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Jim Cullum Jazz Band - American Love Songs

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 62:39
Size: 143.4 MB
Styles: Early jazz, Dixieland
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[4:58] 1. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
[4:04] 2. Meet Me Tonight In Dreamland
[2:55] 3. Between The Devil And The Deep Blue Sea
[2:56] 4. Come Rain Or Come Shine
[3:38] 5. I Only Have Eyes For You
[5:46] 6. Lover Man/Body And Soul
[3:19] 7. What A Little Moonlight Can Do
[3:40] 8. When Lights Are Low
[2:56] 9. Singin' In The Rain
[4:41] 10. A Sleepin' Bee
[4:40] 11. My Fate Is In Your Hands
[3:12] 12. How Deep Is The Ocean
[4:15] 13. Ain't Misbehavin'
[4:22] 14. I Had To Do It
[7:08] 15. Let's Do It (Let's Fall In Love)

Ever since it debuted in 1989, the notable radio series Riverwalk, Live from the Landing has given listeners a large dose of well-produced and intelligently presented classic jazz. This particular CD is the seventh to draw its material from these enjoyable programs, and it is a bit of a grab-bag. The theme of American love songs is rather loose, but it serves as an excuse to make the generally relaxed and concise performances available to the public for the first time since their airing. Jim Cullum is one of the finest cornetists/trumpeters in the field, and he can be heard in short statements with his jazz band throughout (taking a brief but dramatic spot on "Come Rain or Come Shine" and exuberantly leading the ensembles on "Ain't Misbehavin'"). The many guests uplift the music, particularly soprano saxophonist Bob Wilber on "Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland," Benny Carter during "When Lights Are Low," Joe Williams on an uptempo "Singin' in the Rain," and Dick Hyman playing a piano duet with John Sheridan on a charming version of "My Fate Is in Your Hands." The vocals of Nina Ferro and Carol Woods (three for Ferro and two by Woods), although well sung, are predictable and routine compared to the instrumentalists, but harmless enough. Much hotter are spirited renditions of a pair of Fats Waller tunes ("Ain't Misbehavin'" and the obscure "I Had to Do It") featuring personable vocals by Vernel Bagneris, plus the two pianos with the full band. Overall, this is fun music well worth picking up, as are the other entries in the series. ~Scott Yanow

American Love Songs

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Jim Cullum Jazz Band - Chasin' The Blues

Styles: Dixieland Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 64:56
Size: 149,4 MB
Art: Front

(6:10)  1. Tight Like This
(3:33)  2. Cakewalkin' Babies from Home
(4:36)  3. My Old Kentucky Home, Good Night
(4:03)  4. I've Got the Blues for Home Sweet Home
(4:31)  5. Lonesome Road
(4:00)  6. Slow and Easy
(3:47)  7. Bugle Call Rag
(3:31)  8. Shake That Thing
(5:16)  9. Aunt Hagar's Blues
(5:20) 10. Trouble in Mind
(6:26) 11. Sobbin' Blues
(5:15) 12. Burnin' the Iceberg
(4:19) 13. Apex Blues
(4:01) 14. Diga Diga Doo

Not every hair is in place; sometimes it’s just plain sloppy. But what the heck, this CD is authentic Dixieland. Everyone in the band is having a ball, and the same can be said for the large, live audience in San Antonio. This is the home of the Alamo. Equally historical, it’s where Jim Cullum started his famous jazz band in 1962 not at the Alamo, but at the Landing along the Riverwalk, where the group has played six nights a week since 1980. Thanks to NPR and XM Satellite Radio, the band is a national institution. If traditional is your bag, this new release will be highly enjoyable. For the natives and tourists who crowd into Cullum’s bistro, the band can do no wrong. Every solo not just every tune is applauded heartily. 

The driving cornet of leader Cullum, the trombone work of Kenny Rupp and clarinetist Ron Hockett are a joy to hear. Characteristically, if the front line is strong in a trad band, you’ve got it made. Which makes tunes such as “Cakewalkin’ Babies From Home,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Shake That Thing,” “Bugle Call Rag” and “Diga Diga Doo” so exciting. By the way, Topsy Chapman knows how to belt blues. 

~ Harvey Siders  http://jazztimes.com/articles/17077-chasin-the-blues-the-jim-cullum-jazz-band

Chasin' The Blues

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