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Don Neely & The Royal Society Jazz Orchestra: Jump Start
The girl singer, Carla Normand, is on several tracks. The most notable of her warbling comes with "Why Don't You Do Right?", "Somebody Loves Me" and "Goody Goody". She affects that little girl, wide-eyed ingenue tone in her voice which was so popular in the 1920's. The band takes care of most all of the cuts honoring swing, 1930's edition. There is some fine instrumental playing and solos on Jan Savitt's "720 in the Books", "Sweet Georgia Brown" and Louis Prima's "Sing, Sing, Sing" carved into the annals of big band jazz by Benny Goodman. All the major instruments from this period are included, even a theremin, an instrument that is played without being touched.
All the musicians in this group are masters of both these musical styles and of their instruments. The arrangements faithfully replications without imitations as played by white jazz musicians during this part of the 20th Century. You will not hear any Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong or Fletcher Henderson orchestrations here. Nonetheless, this album is entertaining fun and is recommended.
Track Listing
Jump Start; It's Been So Long; Rhythm Is Our Business; Somebody Loves Me; If Dreams Come True; Yes-Sir-EE Bob; Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive; 720 in the Books; When I Dance with You; Sweet Georgia Brown; Why Don't You Do Right?; Record Skip Hop; Goody-Goody; On the Sunny Side of the Street; Sing, Sing, Sing
Personnel
Don Neely - Tenor, Soprano & Alto Sax/Clarinet/Vocals/Leader; Carla Normand - Vocals; Dick Mathias, Nik Phelps - Alto Sax/Clarinet; Andrew Storar - Trumpet; Kent Mikasa - Trombone; Seth Asarnow - Piano/Vibraphone/Theremin; Marty Eggers - Bass; Steve Apple - Drums; Dix Bruce - Guitar/Banjo
Album information
Title: Jump Start | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Circle