"They're back together again!!"
L. Stanford | Texas | 08/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the group's first album together as the Hot Club in several years and I'm sure glad they are back together.I have all of their albums and love 'em all.This one is a little different as they added a drummer.All of their playing is just great!I think this is one of the best albums they have made.Elana seems to play a little more agressive than before and it sounds fantastic.Whit has always played a great "Hot Club" style of guitar and he does it again for this album.Jake keeps the swing feel on bass going all through every song.The song selection is just right for any swing music fan.I hope more albums are in the future for them"
A little disappointed mixed bag (no swing pocket)
Richard Hansen | Mokena, IL, USA | 12/05/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"The band sounds great, but the music selections dont swing enough for me. And this album was a little disappointing to me simply because the tunes dont have a good pocket, swing-wise. The Hot Club of Cowtown seems to have produced a mixed-bag album here spanning mainstream country/rock, blugrass, country ballads, and some swing (only 2 tracks swing at all). I do have all their other albums and use them regularly at dance parties (I'm a DJ and dance instructor). This album is less useful for me, however the production quality is better than their previous albums. More listening music here than dance music I guess. It may be right for you, but not me.
I dont understand why they are leaving their western swing genre behind, maybe its the drummer, even on the swing number (track 1) he's riding the cymbal in a non-swinging fashion. Causing it to be rhythmically too much like straight eights. Track 3 (the one where the drummer lays back) is the swingingest track, thats the Hot Club I know and love, the rest of the tracks I'll leave behind.
Track 3 is the only tune with a danceable pocket created by a great rhythm guitar.
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