Shotgun Jazz Band

Peter Loggins put me onto the Shotgun Jazz Band, and I bought their second album One Drink Minimum because I like a bit of rowdy, scraggly, NOLA hot jass.

Browsing the interkittens recently (aka their bandcamp page) I realised they’ve just released a third album, Don’t Give Up the Ship.

I liked the second, live, album, but I really this third one. It’s a bit tighter, which is kind of what you’d expect from a studio album rather than a live one, but it still has the attitude and energy of the live recordings. So I call this a win.

Yes, but there are approximately nine million little bands doing ‘NOLA’ style street jazz, why should you give a crap about this one?

Firstly, you know some of the people in the band:
Marla Dixon – Trumpet and Vocals
Christopher Johnson – Tenor Saxophone
Michael Magro – Clarinet
Peter Loggins – Trombone
Tyler Thomson – Bass
Justin Peake – Drums
John Dixon – Banjo

Secondly, you should support anyone who’s out there recording and playing hot jazz. Not just the people you know. It’s just ten bucks, ya tightarse – that’s less than a movie ticket. And buying an indy band’s album tells them someone is listening, and that they should keep going. Even if that means that you think they really suck, so they really should keep practicing.

Thirdly, the songs on this album are quite important ones. If you’ve been introduced to some of these standards by big names like the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, then you should really be exploring other versions, so you can understand why some songs become standards.

Fourthly, you should buy these versions, because they actually have some personality. There’s something interesting going on here. These people aren’t just banging shit out. They’ve got some cred.

And, finally, if you care about this sort of thing, this is an album full of good dancing music.

My highlights:

Old Man Mose – Has a nice, sprongy beat that only a really good, swinging band can achieve. They’re not just banging pots in there (except when they are). They’re making jazz. This a pretty fierce, exciting rhythm, coupled with a fun call-and-response chorus that makes you feel like jumping around. Great dancing.

Creole Song – I luuurve this song, and I have to admit, seeing this on the track list was what convinced me to preview the album in the first place. Sure ‘Shake that thing’ is a great, important standard, but Creole Song is fun, and you don’t see it on as many albums.

Weed Smoker’s Song – Something a bit slow and miserable. I usually tag these ‘necrophiliac blues’ in my collection, so’s I know where to go when I’m looking for something with a nice, mournful edge. I really like this song. You know that expression ‘stomping the blues’? Well, yes.

Silver Bell – This one has a bunch of energy and is lots of fun. I just LIKED IT, ok?

The Peanut Vendor – I probably wouldn’t play this at a lindy hop gig, but I would play it in my house so I could dance around the lounge room. Si? SI! Oui? OUI! It is probably my favourite song on the album.

The only thing I regret about buying this album, is buying it as downloads from bandcamp. No liner notes. No nice, pretty packaging to fondle.

[EDIT] Everyone! Superheidi did some research and discovered ‘Peanut Vendor’ is a ‘secret’ track.

NOT SECRET ANY MORE, JAZZ BAND![/]