Search - Roomful of Blues :: Swingin & Jumpin

A good intro to the old lineups

05/02/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you like the old swing side of the blues, then this is a good album for you. It documents Roomful through the 70s when swing and blues were pretty much underground. The old lineups are good and the arrangements are tight. This collection is supposed to highlight the various frontmen from the early years including Big Joe Turner, Duke Robillard and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson, but I feel Sugar Ray Norcia and Mac Odum are just as good if not better. What this album does accomplish is showing what a strong horns section Greg Piccolo, Rich Lataille, Bob Enos and Doug James comprised, and why all following arrangements will be less powerful. The albums best tracks are Jumpin' For Joe, That's My Life and Take It Like A Man. Worth owning for the price alone."

Swing or Blues....

J. Jacobi | Westland, MI United States | 08/05/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I HAVE A COUPLE OF R O B CD'S AND AM A BLUES FAN. I ENJOY THE HORN SECTION AND WAS CURIOUS TO HEAR THE TRIBUTES TO THE PAST GREATS. THIS CD IS MORE AN ATTEMPT TO CASH IN ON THE SWING MOVEMENT - AS IT IS SELECTED TUNES FROM THE FIRST 3 CD'S - FEATURING 40'S SWING SOUND - WHICH IS THE SOUND THEY ATTEMPTED TO CAPTURE - THAN A BLUES RECORDING; THOUGH SOME 40'S BLUES IS EVIDENT. THAT IS NOT TO SAY IT'S BAD - IT IS BADD. MOST ARE INSTRUMENTALS AND THE FOOT CAN'T STOP FROM KEEPING THE BEAT - AS BACALL SAID TO BOGART - "YES, BUT IS IT LEGIT SWING"??? THIS IS!"