About the Band
Austin's celebrated hot jazz and western swing trio crafted innovative instrumental arrangements and an unprecedented number of original songs for their fourth HighTone CD, produced by Gurf Morlix. Fiddle player Elana Fremerman contributes four songs that reflect her growing interest in more contemporary musical styles, although vintage jazz and western swing inflections still permeate her writing. "Forget-Me-Nots" features some wonderful vocal harmonic overdubbing by Fremerman, reminiscent of the classic Les Paul & Mary Ford hits from the late '40s. "Home" and "Before You" are romantic ballads that evoke memories of traditional parlor music from the 1920s, with sweet melodies and honest, hopeful, heartfelt lyrics.
Whit Smith's three original tunes are darker in mood, but equally remarkable. He is particularly proud of "It Stops With Me," a tune which he feels is representative of the band's new sound -- a synthesis of traditional and contemporary music into a coherent, entertaining, and intensely personal hybrid. Also notable is Smith's reinterpretation of Aerosmith's hard-rock classic "Chip Away The Stone." Done (without a smidgen of irony) in the style of a Jimmie Rodgers ballad, their version epitomizes all that is great about great songs -- a good melody, and honest and accessible lyrics that work regardless of the musical paradigm of their delivery.
The Review
This is one kickin' CD. The vocals are flawless layered amongst the tight chops of these talented musicians. From the sounds of their music this would be a hot band to see perform live. I would never guess that this full, rich sound could come from 3 band members. But it does.
If you're tired of the same old crap playing on the airwaves, be sure to pick up this CD!
~Trixie, September 2002
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