Tuba Skinny (2012) -Rag Band

Artist:  Tuba Skinny

Albums: Rag Band

Release date:  2012

Quality: mp3 CBR 320 

Size:  138  MB

“ It is apt that Tuba Skinny’s new release has the word “Rag” in it. The music here goes back beyond Dixieland to the early days of jazz when it was better known as “ragtime,” and those who played it called it “ragging” (or syncopating) the beat or song. It also indicated an informal, down-home take on the music. The seven member-strong Tuba Skinny collective definitely has that going for them. This is shake your booty with a cold-one in your hand music. Their take on rarely recorded songs such as the sly come-on “Papa’s Got Your Bath Water On” or Skip James’ cold-blooded murder ballad “Crow Jane” are poignant, yet fun. Occasionally, the beat wanders or not everyone is in tune, but the general energy and joy of the music makes the listener forget such anomalies. And kudos to Tuba Skinny for getting some of the great yet lesser-played songs of the New Orleans repertoire (particularly the Jelly Roll Morton tunes including “New Orleans Bump”) back into action.

Nobody needs to hear another version of “Muskrat Ramble” these days. The only problem with this recording is that sometimes it takes the informal too far. I like my music raw, but the audio quality of this disc sounds at times more like a field recording and less like a studio one. The music can always be heard, but sometimes the vocals are a little difficult to make out, and instruments that should be more prominent fall into the background. Again, that doesn’t take away from the overall feel of Rag Band. Put it on for your next party and see how low everybody can do the “New Orleans Bump.”

  ~ by David Kunian

BUY CD

Tracklist:

1.  Climax Rag

 2.  I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water

 3.  Papa's Got Your Bath Water

 4.  Russian Rag

 5.  Trick Ain't Walkin'

 6.  Delta Bound

 7.  Jackson Stomp

 8.  Salamanca Blues

 9.  Crow Jane

 10.  How Can It Be

 11.  New Orleans Bump

 12.  Biscuit Roller

 13.  Banjo Reno

 14.  Squeeze Me

 15.  Treasures Untold

Tuba Skinny is:

 Todd Burdick - tuba

 Ryan Baer - banjo, guitar, harmonica, vocals

 Barbabus Jones - trombone, guitar, banjo

 Shaye Cohn - cornet, piano, fiddle

 Robin Papuzzi - washboard, bass drum

 Erika Lewis - vocals

 Special Guests:

 Jon Doyle - clarinet, tenor sax

 Enan Bleach -clarinet #9, 12, 13, 14

 John James - dobro

 Sam Doores - bass drum

 Cassidy - bass drum #11

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