Search - Kermit Ruffins :: Live at Vaughans

High Energy Party Jazz

Kurt Harding | Boerne TX | 06/06/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Here's a CD to get for your next party, particularly if your guests are unfamiliar with Kermit Ruffins. My introduction to his music came through a college buddy who has family in New Orleans and visits the city frequently, taking in its still vibrant music scene.

Well, since I like the trumpet-oriented jazz of Freddie Hubbard and Herb Alpert, I thought that perhaps I would enjoy Ruffins based on my friend's recommendation. And I do.

Live at Vaughan's is packed with high energy party jazz and although its a little jivey and parochial in places, its a CD that's easy to enjoy. My favorites are World On A String, Hide the Reefer, If You Want Me To Stay, the gorgeous instrumental Be Thankful For What You've Got. Those last two in particular show what Ruffins is capable of when he gets serious with his trumpet. Only the unnecessary introduction and the exceedingly lame O-O-H Child detract from making Live at Vaughan's a five-star effort. That last song is so jejune that no matter how valiantly Ruffins or anyone else tries to improve it, they are destined to fail.

I have always enjoyed New Orleans music as suited to certain times and places, but have never actually bought any until now. Kermit Ruffins shows ample talent here and I will certainly explore his music further. You don't necessarily have to be into New Orleans music or jazz in general to like this, you just have to like music in general. Check this CD out, you'll be glad you did."

Lively Night at Vaughans

R. Weinstock | Falls Church, VA USA | 08/17/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"From the days when he was probably the most visible member of Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins has been playing his trumpet and singing with the idea that jazz can entertain as well as be art. Having reestablished, after Katrina, his long-standing gig at Vaughan's in New Orleans, his newest recording was recorded in performance there, Live at Vaughan's (Basin Street). What can one say except this an exuberant collection of performances that should bring a smile to most as he and his quartet handle standards like World on a String and Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?, along with second line gems like Palm Court Strut and Kermit's Tremé Second Line, and his jazzifying R&B classics like Sly Stone's If You Want Me to Stay. Ruffins' band of Richard Knox on keyboards (he has an excellent organ solo on World on a String); Derrick Freeman on drums and vocals and Kevin Morris on electric bass is augmented on several tracks by Roderick Paulin on saxophone and Corey Henry on trombone (both heard on Kermit's Drop Me Off in New Orleans), Neshia Ruffins (Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans), and others. The most obvious influence on Ruffins is Louis Armstrong which is reflected throughout his playing and vocals. While there is a traditional jazz base to the performances, they are enlivened by a dose of second-line R&B flavoring making for lively, swinging and danceable performances like the Palm Court Strut or Ruffins' Hide the Reefer (`because he comes the creeper'), that frankly will bring a smile to the listener, but after listening it will hit you that Kermit Ruffins can really play, like his very fiery solo on the Sly Stone classic."

My favorite CD of 2007

Raymond Cannata | New Orleans, LA United States | 02/18/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like New Orleans brass you will love this recording. While its impossible to capture the beauty and energy of this genre on CD, this is the next best thing to hearing it in person.



If you are unfamiliar, Ruffins is a true master of this style. His energy is almost superhuman.



There isn't a weak track in this set, but my favorites are Skokiaan, O-o-h Child, World on a String, Drop me Off in New Orleans, Treme Second Line, and If You Want Me to Stay.



After you get this, try his CD Throwback with Its Later Than You Think and What is New Orleans Pt. 2. I also love 1533 St. Philip Street."