Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Happy Pals: New Orleans Party Orchestra

380

The Happy Pals: New Orleans Party Orchestra

By

Sign in to view read count
The Happy Pals: New Orleans Party Orchestra
The city of New Orleans may never be the same after Hurricane Katrina, but the monster storm will not dampen the spirit of the jazz music for which it is known. New Orleans jazz is alive and well and has taken root in, of all places, Toronto, Canada. The Toronto-based Happy Pals septet, which has been playing this music at Grossman's Tavern in Toronto since the early seventies, released its first CD, Live At Grossman's, in 1993; this 2005 recording is the Happy Pals' second effort.

New Orleans Party Orchestra is ten tracks of old-time Dixie/Louis Armstrong-flavored jumping jazz swing, with an interesting mix of tunes that includes Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright," though I don't think Dylan would recognize this rendition. Two other better-known titles are "Folsom Prison Blues," made famous by the late Johnny Cash; and the Adamson & McHugh piece "Lovely Way To Spend An Evening," which became a part of Sinatra's repertoire. The setting is live, the music is all New Orleans jazz swing, and the band seems to be having a heck of a party. Bourbon Street beckons for this kind of sound.

Track Listing

Algiers Strut; Mama's Gone Goodbye; Don't Think Twice, It's Alright; I Come To The Garden Alone; Folsom Prison Blues; Short Dress Gal; Lovely Way To Spend An Evening; Climax Rag; Love Songs Of The Nile; Maryland and My Maryland.

Personnel

Toby Hughes: alto saxophone; Patrick Tevlin:trumpet; Chuck Clarke: drums; Rainer Hunck: banjo; Phillip J. Carney: (sbs); Roberta Tevlin: trombone; Roberta Hunt: piano.

Album information

Title: New Orleans Party Orchestra | Year Released: 2006 | Record Label: Self Produced

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.

You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
View events near New Orleans
Jazz Near New Orleans
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

Fiesta at Caroga
Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective
Fellowship
David Gibson
Immense Blue
Olie Brice / Rachel Musson / Mark Sanders

Popular

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.