Once again Bone Voyage sets out on a musical cruise – this time heading south of the Mason-Dixon Line to the place where jazz was born and whose style is still referred to as “Dixieland.”
All the tunes in this CD were recorded “live” at the Cactus Pear in Blue Ash, Ohio where the band holds forth every Thursday evening. Forsaking the sterile albeit safer surroundings of a recording studio, Bone Voyage launches into every number knowing there are no re-takes. Mssrs Jim Clark, Bart Johnson, and Steve Strider provide the chords and rock-solid rhythms while David Haldeman, Tom Hyatt, and Dave Petrik handle the melodies, harmonies, and counter-melodies that comprise the Dixieland style.
On some of the selections the six man crew of Bone Voyage are augmented by some very talented guest artists including Tim Densham, Martin Giesbrecht, and Bob Poe all of whom just happened to pop into the Cactus Pear while the music was being recorded.
As for the tunes, the spirit of New Orleans is predominating. First comes Hoagy Carmichaels’ haunting tune that refers to it as that “quaint old southern city.” The tune is in a minor mode that captures the haunting beauty of the town. “Canal Street Blues” refers to the main drag.
“Buddy Bolden’s Blues” pays homage to that great New Orleans cornet-player whose legend still lives on. “Fidgety Feet” was written by another early New Orleans cornetist, Nick La Rocca, co-founder of the “Original Dixieland Jass Band.”
“Mabel’s Dream” was recorded by two New Orleans greats King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. On this CD, Petrik and Hyatt recreate that 1923 recording playing from the original arrangement while David Haldeman provides the “Tail-gate” trombone.
Several of the tunes refer to other southern areas: “Tishomingo Blues” is named after a county in northern Mississippi. Clarinetists Densham and Giesbrecht can be heard spicing up this most elegant 32 bar blues.
The state of Georgia claims two tunes on this CD including “Sentimental Gentleman from Georgia” and Hard Hearted Hannah the Vamp of Savannah, G.A. And of course, “I’m Coming Virginia” tells of a longing to return to the south. “Stop the traffic to Dixie…don’t let nothin’ come betwixt me and that old home of mine.”
The album concludes with Louis Armstrong’s theme song, “Sleepy Time Down South” where Bob Poe’s banjo adds just the right feel for that most poignant ode.
So pour yourself a mint julep, sit back on the veranda and join Bone Voyage on a sentimental musical journey south.