Jellyroll Music

What a terrific introduction to the first great composer and pianist of the jazz age, Mr. Jelly Roll! Morton's expert, original, and gleefully exuberant mastery of his instrument is clear enough to behold even through the static and hiss of these very old recordings. Beginning with the descending-roll of "King Porter Stop" and ending with the swampy upbeat "Tom Cat Blues" this collection of historic songs never lets up in energy. Morton is a madman on the piano, and it is hard to imagine anyone playing these originals better than the orginator himself. (Try to differentiate the melody and rhythms interplay between left and right hand for a key into his genius. Observe also how "Big Fat Ham" comes alive, first in the imagination of Morton in the piano track, which has so much energy to practically mimic a band, and then later in an actual band rendition of the piece.) Notable is guest appearances with King Oliver himself, two giant jazz father-figures recorded together, competing, collaborating, making history.

It's definately evident Jelly Roll Morton honestly heard an entire jazz band when he wrote these early piano solos.

Although he prided himself as having "invented" Jazz,Jelly Roll Morton WAS the first great Composer of Jazz,long before Ellington;this remarkable CD is invaluable for offering all of Morton's first recordings (the Gennett piano solos and some early band dates,including a swell number,"Steady Roll" complete with comb & kazzoo and NO Morton!?);although the Classics Series are usually well-remastered this CD is no exception,I had much of this on LP and these are the cleanest sounding digital transfers of this material that I've yet heard;the only reason to point up sound quality is only to underscore the fact that ( especially on the piano solos)the 1923-1924 accoustical technology did not permit the full tonal range of Jelly's amazing keyboard virtuousity to be heard;However,you can still hear the exquisite phrasing of "The Pearls" (all but worth the price of the CD) and the terrific left handed fingering on "New Orleans Joys",to say nothing of the wonderful rolling arpeggios on "Frogimore Rag" and not a word of his breathtaking technique on "Perfect Rag";the band sides are a revealing glimpse into Morton's polyphonic mind - he already had his vision of Jazz down pat,it only needed him to find just the right combination of musicians,which he ultimately did (of course) with the classic Red Hot Peppers work for Victor a few years later.
This CD is required listening for ALL Jazz lovers whether Hot Jazz,Cool Jazz,Bop,or whatever,because the history of Jazz can be heard loud and clear here in the hands of its first Genius! Don't Delay .... buy your's today!

I happened upon this band at a local club in San Francisco and was blown away. The second time I saw them I was hooked for ever and had to have the CD. I have never played it for anyone that they didn't immediately agree that this was something special. I can't wait to pick up the new album and see if it is as good. If you get a chance I highly recommend you see a live show.

I ordered this album after reading some great reviews, and at first I wasn't sure about it. I enjoyed it, but I wondered how many times I would actually listen to it. Well, the more I listen, the better I like it. It's quite different from most of the other swing albums on the market -- the band is small, so it doesn't have that "big" sound. The songs are all great, the vocals particularly tight, and the music rewards close listening -- it's not big, but it's complex and delightful. My favorite is "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby" -- it gets better every time! This album is excellent for either listening or dancing.

The gal singer makes these tunes resolutely her own. The vocals are reminiscent of the 40's vocal group, The Cats and the Fiddle...well done.

Jellyroll specializes in vocal 40s blues/swing, and have done an admirable job of digging up some forgotten classics and should-be-classics instead of relying on weak originals the way many other swing bands do. The vocals are tremendous, and the style is both swingin' but incredibly unified in sound. Standouts on this album: "Artic Ocean", a sexy slow dancing piece, "Blue Light Boogie" which resurrects a great Louis Jordan tune, "Killing Jive" with its zippy and bizarre lyrics, and the foot sorching "Palm Springs."

Their music is excellent!Their horns sound great!Bleinda Blair is magnificent! They only way I can discribe her voice is...pleasing, smooth, and easy if that makes sense.I can't stop listening to their CD. I think my favorite song is Jellyroll Jump.

My, oh my! MP3.com turned me on to these guys, and I continue to be blown away. This is a tight album, dripping with cool, and completely devoid of any "crispy critter" tendencies of many neo-swing groups. I will DEFINITELY be on the lookout for future albums (I've already ordered "Hep Cats Holiday"), and I'm serious -- I WANT THESE GUYS TO COME TO THE DC AREA, BAD!

Jellyroll's debut album, "Hepcat's Holiday" was a stunner, amidst a glut of swing albums which debuted last year. Hoo-Dee-a-Da is no different. Although a few things have changed since the last album (Founders Belinda Blair and Steve Dekrone are the only two members here from "Holiday")this is one of the best swing/jump albums to come out this year. The group has dropped the sax, and added a trumpet and trombone, resulting in a much livelier sound. The album showcases the vocals of Belinda Blair, who sings with as much soul as Simone, Fitzgerald, and Holiday....and that's not blasphemy, either. She ranks right up there with the greats. However, many of the 3-5 part vocal harmony we heard on the first album has been dropped in favor of having Belinda sing solo...kind of disappointing for fans of the first record, but not a bad thing, and it takes nothing away from Hoo-Dee-A-Da. This is an album you will be proud to have in your collection, and it has plenty of charm, style, and sophistication ...with a bit of naughtiness thrown in for good measure...busk away, baby! "Stick out yer can, here comes the garbage man....."