Search - Spirits of Rhythm, The Spirits of Rhythm :: 1933-1945

Their (almost) complete output on one CD

02/20/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is light-hearted swing music, not meant for posterity. It delights my ear and the group sound is unique. Standards and seldom-heard songs are combined with good humour and an irresistible approach to swinging a melody. Teddy Bunn's guitar is featured prominently throughout. These titles are echoes from an era that will never come back. It's a pity that today's musicians seem to be ashamed of playing in such an unassuming manner."

Elementary, Mr. Holmes

D. Mazal | San Antonio, Texas United States | 12/15/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The 5-6 cuts featuring Red McKenzie are pretty horrible ( entertainingly so, though, like a Simpsons version of Al Jolson ) , but there is so much exciting invention going on that it doesn't matter. First, the guitar, is basically the Django-type stuff of the time, but played with more abandon, and with what I believe is a more clever musical sense : often you are built up to expect a cliche, and then WHOMP! a very original little line. Next, how many string bands can you name that used the tiple? And lucky for you, cos its great tiple playing! Another fun thing are the vocals (when they are covered by the band members) : perhaps the only scat music I can say I really appreciate, mostly because it doesn't riff without purpose, but has an odd, elliptical narrative quality, and again, is clever, light-hearted, and simultaneously urbane and slangy ( or, because that probably doesn't make sense, I'll say : It sounds like intelligent people acting stupid.)"