Kermit Ruffins: Live at Vaughan's (2007)

Henry Smith

CD Review Editor since 2007

Henry Smith is currently teaching English, Algebra II, and 20th century Music History at Buxton School.

Recent articles (29 total)

Published: July 22, 2007

Trumpeter/vocalist Kermit Ruffins sure knows how to throw a party, and frankly, he should. As the founder of two great New Orleans jazz bands, the Rebirth Brass Band and the Barbeque Swingers, Ruffins has become somewhat of a New Orleans musical diplomat, embracing a vigorous touring schedule that has brought him further from home than many of the city's mainstays.

Live at Vaughan's is a different story though, as Ruffins brings his Barbeque Swingers back home for a Thursday night set. The full house is in all-out party mode, and Ruffins delivers with his brand of modern New Orleans jazz, complete with to-the-point soloing, heartfelt vocals, and endless musings. If Ruffins knows how to do anything, he knows how to put on a show.

After a brief introduction, things kick off with the infectious opener "Skokiaan." After his trumpet trilling over his rock-steady backing band, Ruffins enters vocally with an extended howl before voicing the rollicking lyrics. His voice, though far from exceptional, does have a certain energy and spirit to it.

Ruffins slows it down for the next number, Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler's classic "World on a String." His rendition is an honest one, and it only heats up when Richard Knox tickles the electric ivories in fine fashion. The night soon turns into a family affair, as Ruffins brings in his daughter Neshia to sing on "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?"

One of the great things about Ruffins, and something that really shines through on this disc in particular, is his broad range of influences. He brings the same care and passion to an old Arlen ballad as he does to Sly Stone's "If You Want Me to Stay," a masterpiece of over-the-deep-end funk. His covers never lose Ruffins' own touch, though, and he brings a completely different kind of energy to the song. The opening two-minute jam on the unmistakable bass line is pure fire, and it's clear the band has really hit their stride. Again, his voice doesn't come close to matching Stone's, but his energy is enough to carry it. He even mixes in a few lines from hip-hop staple the Roots's "You Got Me," for Ruffins is a man who embraces all forms of music. These small details are part of what makes Live at Vaughan's such a fun ride.

The album closer only certifies Ruffins' role as a musical unifier. The Five Stairsteps' ballad "O-o-h Child" is presented with a funky edge before Ruffins begins rapping over the song's chord changes. For Ruffins, it isn't about playing a style of music; it's about just playing so that people can enjoy themselves. When Ruffins asks the non-New Orleans residents in the audience to scream, he is met with a wall of noise. Looks like it's working.

Track Listing: Introduction; Skokiaan; World on a String; Drop Me Off In New Orleans; Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?; Palm Court Strut; Treme' Second Line; Can't Take My Baby Nowhere; Hide the Reefer; If You Want Me To Stay; Be Thankful For What You Got; Talking Loud and Saying Nothing; O-o-h Child.

Personnel: Kermit Ruffins: vocals, trumpet; Richard Knox: electric keyboards; Derrick Freeman: drums, vocals; Kevin Morris: electric bass; Neshia Ruffins: vocals; Roderick Paulin: saxophone; Corey Henry: trombone; Percy Williams: percussion; Dirty Rice: washboard; Bob French: introduction.

Record Label: Basin Street Records
Style: Dixieland/New Orleans/Swing

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Date	Venue	Tickets
May23	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
May24	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
May25	Hyatt Regency New Orleans, LA	buy
May26	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
May27	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
May28	Worldwide CD Release Day! Worldwide
May29	Lafayette Square New Orleans, LA
May30	WYES TV New Orleans, LA
May31	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Jun02	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jun03	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jun04	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jun06	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Jun07	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Jun08	Tipitinas Uptown New Orleans, LA
Jun09	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jun10	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jun11	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jun13	Jazz In The Park - Louis Armstrong Park New Orleans, LA
Jun14	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Jun15	Little Gem Saloon New Orleans, LA
Jun16	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jun17	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jun18	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jun20	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Jun21	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Jun22	Little Gem Saloon New Orleans, LA
Jun23	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jun24	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jun25	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jun27	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Jun28	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Jun29	Little Gem Saloon New Orleans, LA
Jun30	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul01	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul02	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jul16	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jul18	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Jul19	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Jul21	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul22	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul23	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Jul28	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul29	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Jul30	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Aug01	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Aug02	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Aug03	Island View Casino Gulfport, MS
Aug04	Satchmo Summerfest New Orleans, LA
Aug05	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug06	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Aug08	Highline Ballroom New York, NY	buy
Aug11	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug12	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug13	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Aug15	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Aug16	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA
Aug18	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug19	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug21	Sweetwater Music Hall Mill Valley, CA
Aug22	Brick and Mortor San Francisco, CA
Aug23	Brick and Mortor San Francisco, CA
Aug25	The New Parish Oakland, CA
Aug26	Kermit's Treme Speakeasy New Orleans, LA
Aug27	Bullet's Sports Bar New Orleans, LA
Aug29	Vaughan's Lounge New Orleans, LA
Aug30	The Blue Nile (balcony Room) New Orleans, LA