Tim Laughlin Music

A very sweet recording. Each song is handled with care and executed with a relaxed swing. The record is consistantly mellow which makes is it perfect for relaxing moments. Guitarist, Hank Mackie, is a gem and is very reminiscent of George Van Eps. His tone and chord selection are as tasteful as any of the greats and his timing and phrasing is superior. Clarinetist, Tim Laughlin, is a wonderful player. His tone is warm and his solos are concise, melodic and swingin' As a lover of great guitar music, I only wish that I could hear more of Hank Mackie.

While I'm not a musician and so can't critique the finer points of the CD, as a listener I found it well worth buying for two of the numbers "Petite Fleur" and "Si Tu Vois Ma Mere" which were originally done by Sidney Bechet. Laughlin does the tunes exactly as I like them played, the second of which I have always found hauntingly beautiful. "Farewell Blues", "Avalon", and "Memphis Blues" are nicely done, as well.

This is an absolute must have. Tim hits the full extent of the register with clarity and sharpness yet you're compelled to wander a quite mountain path. This is background music for the intelligent! A refreshing breath of air. Whether you are a jazz novice or have been around the traps for years, you will enjoy the ambience this CD creates. We had the pleasure to experience Tim live here in New Zealand at the Bay of Islands Jazz Festival it was a treat.

Just seen him playing at a jazz and blues festival in The Bay of Islands in New Zealand, a very versatile musician with a real love of what he was doing. Hope to see more of him down under.

Laughlin's current opus is a genuine gem from New Orleans, or 'Nu Oilens' as he instructs non locals to properly pronounce it. Like a gem, the music is pure of construction, as Laughlin writes in a traditional jazz form. Also like a gem, each tune is singular to itself, to its breatheren on the album, and yet is also able to stand singularly apart from, and yet alongside, its traditional musical heritage. When I played "Isle" at a NYC party of jazz fans, most of which were unfamiliar with of Tim, the crowd immediately began to percolate with musings of the origin of the tunes. This is a magnificent work of music and takes the listener through every emotion - in a most enjoyable way.

From the birthplace of jazz, current New Orleans musicians all steeped in the essence and traditions of that great city, swinging through wonderful live concerts.
For those of us not lucky enough to be there at the concerts or to hear them in their home town this record is a treasure. Straight ahead "roots" jazz in it's modern form played by guys just having a great time doing their swinging thing.