Search - Sharkey Bonano :: Sharkey/His Kings of Dixiela

THE REAL NEW ORLEANS JAZZ

Barry McCanna | Normandy, France | 07/08/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"So much of what we label as New Orleans jazz was recorded in Chicago or New York that it's nice to be able to welcome the genuine article. Sharkey Bonano had been a fixture on the New Orleans scene for some thirty years by the time the tracks which make up this compilation were recorded. The personnel includes a number of musicians who will be familiar to students of early white bands, including drummer Monk Hazel (with whom he'd recorded in 1925) clarinettist Santo Pecora, bassist Chink Martin, pianist Armand Hug, and Albert Brunies who took the drum chair for the last four tracks. Sharkey plays a strong lead, and the music is joyful and freewheeling, indeed the organised freneticism may come as a bit of a shock to those who've been weaned on gentler fare. If there's a weak spot, it is clarinettist Lester Bouchon, who is present throughout the first CD, and whose solos have an unerring tendency to stray off-key. That said, I particularly enjoyed the four tracks which feature Armand Hug on piano, and blues singer Lizzie Miles graces four of the tracks on the second CD."

Sharkey at His Best

Dr. Robert Hackler | Orlando, Fl. USA | 06/18/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had one occasion to hear Sharkey in New York in the late '50's, and I believe that I have all his LP's. I believe these CD's have some of his best, particular early hits recorded with Capitol. "In the Mood", "Solo Mio Stomp", "Somebody Stole My Gal", and other sides that featured Monk Hazel on drums/mellophone and Santo Pecora on trombone are among my favorites. Authentic Americana!"