Review: This CD begins to impress fans of New Orleans jazz the moment they glance at the cover art. A vintage Currier & Ives litho of a couple of Mississippi steamers graces the jewel case.
New Orleans Delight is a Danish band capable of playing authentic New Orleans jazz as you would hear at Preservation Hall. The mix of tunes is true to the tradition of Crescent City revival groups. I was pleased to see the inclusion of “My Gal Sal” penned in 1905 by Paul Dresser. Dresser had written 106 songs between 1895 and 1905. With the exception of the official song of the State of Indiana (On The Banks Of The Wabash), Dresser had little financial success and died in poverty in 1906 before “My Gal Sal” harvested royalties. Thousands of recordings were made in the past 97 years and here’s another. Indiana has not forgotten its native son, Paul Dresser. The home of his birth is preserved as a historical site.
Although New Orleans Delight has several CDs to its credit over the past several years, this has been my first opportunity to hear their work. The band is led by clarinetist Kjeld Brandt and has no trumpet player. This allows the group to bring in guests of their own choosing on trumpet. This time, it’s the fine British player, Derek Winters. Winters will be familiar to those of you who enjoyed the recordings of Brian Carrick and the late Chris Blount on the Jazz Crusade label.
Here is a fine band with a wonderful repertoire and they have chosen tunes that fit the style of the old New Orleans dance halls. You’ll hear a selection of vintage popular dance music, some sacred songs and even Brownee McGhee’s “Sporting Life Blues”. This tight little band will delight all of you who are New Orleans “Purists.”
Tracks: If Those Lips Could Only Speak;
Maria Elena; Sporting Life Blues; Oh,
You Beautiful Doll; My Gal Sal; In The
Upper Garden; If I Had My Way; Don’t
leave Me Now; All I Do Is Dream Of
You; Fly Away; What Am I Living For;
Move The Body Over; Can I Sleep In
Your Arms Tonight, Lady?
JazzReview.com
