• Home
  • News & Reviews
    • Reviews/Testimonials
    • DUKES Blog
    • DUKES News
  • Concerts
  • DUKES Info
    • Discography
    • DUKES History
    • Meet The Band
  • Gallery
    • Fan Media
    • Photos
    • Video Gallery
  • Press Kit
    • Biographies
    • Hi-Res Photos
    • DUKES Advertising/Themes
    • Rider and Stage Plot
  • Music & Merch
    • Albums & Downloads
    • Merchandise
  • Symphonies
  • Contact

DUKES of Dixieland<br>

  • Home
  • News & Reviews
    • Reviews/Testimonials
    • DUKES Blog
    • DUKES News
  • Concerts
  • DUKES Info
    • Discography
    • DUKES History
    • Meet The Band
  • Gallery
    • Fan Media
    • Photos
    • Video Gallery
  • Press Kit
    • Biographies
    • Hi-Res Photos
    • DUKES Advertising/Themes
    • Rider and Stage Plot
  • Music & Merch
    • Albums & Downloads
    • Merchandise
  • Symphonies
  • Contact

Join Our Mailing List

CD Review

 SALUTE TO JELLY ROLL MORTON

(Leisure Jazz Video M-1053)

Wolverine Blues, Winin' Boy Blues, Don't You Leave Me Here, Buddy Bolden's Blues, Milneburg Joys, Black Bottom Stomp, Fingerbreaker, Kansas City Stomps, King Porter Stomp, Someday Sweetheart, The Pearls, Tiajuana, Sweet Substitute, New Orleans Joys, Grandpa's Spells, Panama

The Mississippi Rag
December 1992

Reviewed by Bob Byler

One can only revisit the past in spirit, but this videotape makes two imaginary trips possible — to the era of Jelly Roll Morton's music and for live jazz by the Dukes of Dixieland in Mahogany Hall, New Orleans.

It's a remarkable production, with a live audience that is responsive but not intrusive, five cameras adeptly positioned in limited space, and sensitive editing to match closeups of players effectively with the music being played.

The mixing of scenes from various camera angles is superb. Viewers see the players from front and rear, right and left, high and low. Long, medium and close-up shots blend fluidly into a mosaic of motion that enhances the impact of the music. Those familiar with Mahogany Hall will marvel that the cameras filmed so freely but are virtually invisible in the final edited videotape. It's like instant replays from a ballgame that add views you can't see from the stands. Band members share musical and visual spotlights when featured on various tunes, and their images and fingertips on the instruments fill the screen.

The performance quality also equals that of the video for the most part. These are the new/old Dukes, three younger and three veteran players separated by about two decades in age brackets. Since late 1990, they have revived the spirit of the band.

They are Richard Taylor, drums and leader; J.B. Scott, cornet; Al Barthlow, trombone; Tim Laughlin, clarinet; Tom McDermott, piano; and Everett Link, bass. They are named in credits at the end but are not listed on the tape box. It also lists "Milneburg Joys" as the second tune, but it is the fifth.

Adding Danny Barker on guitar and vocals on the three tunes after "Wolverine Blues" enhances both musical and historic values. He reminisces briefly about his playing with Jelly Roll Morton, including photos and historic film of his era. Two similar segments between tunes are also interesting.

Tunes are well chosen from the stomps, joys and blues for which Morton is renowned. His "Spanish tinge" is heard on "Tiajuana," (Morton's spelling), "New Orleans Joys" and "Panama." McDermott's iano virtuosity is showcased on "Fingerbreaker" and "The Pearls." The band's joyous rhythmic drive is felt throughout. Emphasis is on ensembles, with solos generall short. Laughtlin's soulful clarinet shines on "Sweet Substitute," and Barthlow's full-toned trombone on "Someday Sweetheart." Scott's cornet drives the front line steadily. He plays high and hard on most solos, but offers a tasteful change of pace with muted tones behind Barker's "Buddy Bolden's Blues."

In summary, this is a videotape one can watch repeatedly and keep enjoying. Highly recommended. It also captures the ambiance of a night at Mahogany Hall before the Dukes move to a new and larger club.

Salute to Jelly Roll Morton (Listen For Free!)

Salute to Jelly Roll Morton (Download) by DUKES of Dixieland

Salute to Jelly Roll Morton (Download)

DUKES of Dixieland

In cart Not available Out of stock
Share
Read more…
0:00/???
  1. 1
    Wolverine Blues 6:16
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/6:16
  2. 2
    Winin' Boy Blues 3:31
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:31
  3. 3
    Don't You Leave Me Here 1:50
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/1:50
  4. 4
    Buddy Bolden's Blues 3:58
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:58
  5. 5
    Black Botton Stomps 3:40
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:40
  6. 6
    Milneburg Joys 3:26
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:26
  7. 7
    Fingerbreaker 2:37
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/2:37
  8. 8
    Kansas City Stomps 3:07
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:07
  9. 9
    King Porter Stomp 3:43
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:43
  10. 10
    Someday Sweetheart 3:01
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:01
  11. 11
    The Pearls 3:01
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:01
  12. 12
    Tiajuana 4:04
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/4:04
  13. 13
    Sweet Substitute 3:49
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:49
  14. 14
    New Orleans Joy 3:11
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:11
  15. 15
    Granpa's Spells 3:25
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/3:25
  16. 16
    Panama 5:06
    In cart Not available Out of stock
    0:00/5:06
 
By viewing this site you agree to the Dukes of Dixieland Privacy Policy Copyright © 2006-2021 Dukes of Dixieland. DUKES of Dixieland® is a registered Federal trademark, 1974-2022.
  • Log out