I picked up Kermit Ruffins' Putumayo Presents: Kermit Ruffins album a few weeks back. A mix of covers and originals, the album is a real nice introduction to the New Orleans jazz trumpeter. This was my first exposure to Ruffins' music and I was very impressed with the songs here and his upbeat vocal style.

Now I'm on the look-out for other New Orlean jazz albums, preferably where vocal tracks dominate over instrumentals. I have a few Crescent City jazz compilations but would rather hear something from lesser known artists though an excellent album from a more known artist would be just as welcome (I've always been curious about Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy. Any recommendations? Thanks!

A bit of the way down the list of threads in the jazz section are LTs thoughts on the two big boxes of New Orleans music that I know of. That might be helpful.

I did see that thread on the box sets. Doctors, Professors, Kings and Queens: The Big Ol' Box of New Orleans is an excellent collection of jazz, blues, r&b, zydeco and early rock (I'd forgotten there's a Kermit Ruffins track here as well).

Also did a search at Dusty Groove though I could only come up with mostly instrumentals only albums. Perhaps much of the lesser known vocal albums are out of print.

quote:

Originally posted by crazed:
I've always been curious about Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy. Any recommendations?

You cannot go wrong with LAPWCH, c. It's an essential part of any well-rounded jazz collection.

As for other recommendations, I've never really explored Ruffins' solo career, but I know his work from the ReBirth Brass Band. I've not kept up with them since they came on the scene in the 80s, but I recall their Rounder releases being good. I don't see any on my shelves right now, so it's hard for me to be specific.

Probably the better known band from the New Orleans brass band revival of the 80s is the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. You've heard them on Elvis Costello's Spike. I'm partial to their debut on Concord, My Feet Can't Fail Me Now, but their Columbia catalog is solid all the way around and probably easier to find. I appreciate your inquiry by the way because it reminds me that I've never picked up their 2004 album Funeral for a Friend, which was critically lauded.

The one big caveat with both ReBirth and the Dirty Dozen is that while they feature vocals, I'm not sure if the vocals dominate to the degree you're hoping. A lot of my recommendations for classic and contemporary New Orleans jazz will probably be a bit instrumental-centric, but if you're interested I can put together a longer list.

Now Playing: ESPN in the hopes of finding something on a rumored trade of Bobby Abreu from the Phils to the Cards

quote:

Originally posted by LinnTate:

A lot of my recommendations for classic and contemporary New Orleans jazz will probably be a bit instrumental-centric, but if you're interested I can put together a longer list.

Sure, I'd be most appreciative of any list with recommendations. I've already found online and ordered what seems to be a good used copy of Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy.

I haven't explored any albums by the ReBirth Brass Band or the Dirty Dozen Brass Band yet. Even if they're skimpy on vocals, I'd still give a chance to some great New Orleans jazz of any style.

Here is a list of my favorite New Orleans Style Artists - these are old school - so you have to pick stuff up through collections.

Johnny Dodds - Clarinet - 20's
Jelly Roll Morton - Paino - 20 - 30's
Louis Armstrong - Trumpet - "Hot Fives and Sevens" 20's
Bix Beiderbecke - "Singing the Blues" 20's
James Johnson - Piano
Sidney Bechet - Clarinet - Soprano Saxiphone 40's
Henry "Red" Allen - "World on a String"