TUBA SKINNY

RAG BAND Bandcamp download

2009 15 tracks, 54 min

CLIMAX RAG, I’D RATHER DRINK MUDDY WATER, PAPA’S GOT YORU BATHWATER PN, RUSSIAN RAG, TRICKS AIN’T WALKIN’, DELTA BOUND, JACKSON STOMP, SALAMANCA BLUES, CROW JANE, HOW CAN IT BE, NEW ORLEANS BUMP, BISCUIT ROLLER, BANJOENO, SQUEEZE ME, TREASURES UNTOLD

There are two things one often gets told in the media about the Internet. The first is how it has shrunk the world. Me owning this album is a classic example. I got an e-mail from a Pommy mate forwarding and e-mail from an Aussie who forwarded a U-Tube link sent to her by her son, who is currently living in Japan/ The U-Tube link was for a live performance by this band playing live in a New Orleans’ street. Two or three hours later I had managed to view all the U-Tube video of this band that I could find. The second thing one hears and reads in the media that the Internet is killing the recorded music industry. The fact that watching all the free video with music on this band led me to buy the album (a downloaded soft copy from http://tubaskinny.bandcamp.com/ where you can ‘try before you buy’) proves how wrong that is. The problem is not the Internet, or even the free material there, the problem is the Recording industry is only just catching up with technology and the new means it offers for promotion, sales and distribution.

Rant over: what of the band? Well let them tell you themselves:

“Formed in in 2009, Tuba Skinny has steadily evolved from a loose collection of street musicians into a solid ensemble dedicated to bringing the traditional New Orleans sound to audiences around the world. Drawing on a wide range of musical influences—from spirituals to Depression-era blues, from ragtime to traditional jazz—their sound evokes the rich musical heritage of their New Orleans home. The band has gained a loyal following through their distinctive sound, their commitment to reviving long-lost songs, and their barnstorming live performances.”

Well that is all true. Personally I think that they are the most exciting band I have come across for ages and, hey – they are all so young! So, listening and watching them takes you back, initially to the 1920’s & 30’s, for that is the sound: traditional New Orleans jazz, blues and event rent house juke. Instruments include violin, harmonica in addition to what one finds in a more contemporary traditional jazz band, but that is period. Then you find yourself remembering the early 1950’s in the UK and parts of Europe with the stirrings of the jazz revival headed by young jazz enthusiasts Lyttelton, Barber, Colyer et al, many now sadly dead. It is not only the musical skill of the players that attracts, nor is it the inclusion of many obscure numbers, it is their sheer enthusiasm for the music that grabs you. Now this is all more apparent when watching the U-Tube videos, but the sound quality on the album is far superior to the amateur footage on U-Tube and well worth the modest sum needed to buy it– and being a soft copy download it is at least half the price you would pay for a CD. With Microsoft and Apple’s Media Player software you can then burn the files across to a CD if you so wish.

On buying the album the Web site asked me to nominate my favourite track. Well I hadn’t listened to the whole album, so didn’t say. I am still not sure. I love the blues vocals such as ‘I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water’, sung with verve by Erika Lewis. I also love the juke stuff such as ‘Papas’ Got Your Bathwater on’ with Ryan Baer joining Erika on vocals. Then there is a more standard jazz number ‘Salamanca Blues, written by cornet & violin player Shaye Cohn, which I found quite arresting or should I pick ‘New Orlean’s Bumps’?

I must ask the Band if I am right in thinking that ‘Banjereno’ was once used as background music to an early Micky Mouse cartoon.

And with that I will leave off to replay the album again.

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