Search - Various Artists :: Now That's Chicago

Inspired by director Rob Marshall's Oscar-triumphing screen adaptation of the venerable Fosse/Ebb stage musical, this anthology of emblematic 20's and 30's pop and jazz fare not only evokes the true musical roots of its big-screen inspiration but bring the era to nervous, saucy life. Get beyond their dated sonic limitations and you'll find some rare, rewarding performances on the 21 tracks collected here, from the Hot Air Men's tone-setting "Red Hot Chicago" to loopy novelty songs ("She Knows Her Onions," "Cigarettes, Cigars," "Take Your Black Bottom Outside"), the bounding hot-jazz instrumentals of Joe Turner ("Freeze and Melt"), and the Henderson Roseland Orchestra ("Raisin' the Roof"), Sophie Tucker's and Ether Waters' bluesy laments and the infectious boogie-woogie of Frank Melrose's "Piano Breakdown." Swing and jazz afficionados will also note tthe music here represents some crucial roots and inspiration; indeed, such later legends as Duke Ellington, Coleman Hawkins and Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey toil as sidemen on some of the performances here. Virtually standard-free and bereft of their inherent expectations, the collection pungently evokes the Jazz Age's bawdy obsessions with sex, drugs and the high-life--and a compelling sense that perhaps times haven't changed as much as we think. ?-Jerry McCulley