CD Review: Quinn DeVeaux & The Blue Beat Review's 'Originals'

Quinn DeVeaux & The Blue Beat Review
Originals
QDV Records

Delta blues, rockabilly, folk, roots, gospel, and early rock & roll influences wrap up the gist of the new album, Originals, by Quinn DeVeaux & The Blue Beat Review. Quinn grew up in Indiana, but found inspiration living in Washington and California later on. Quinn's songs are classic compositions inspired by the music of the early 1900's. There is a bluesy, jazzy, and folksy element with rustic piano, horns, and percussion that are perfectly executed throughout the entire album. Quinn's vocals and guitar work are something that should have been on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. This is not really country music, or bluegrass music, for that matter. Instead, Quinn brings together a mix of early Americana rock & roll, folk, blues, jazz, and swing music for a contemporary era. If Darius Rucker (ex-Hootie & The Blowfish) would explore the folkier side of Americana, Quinn would be the genre purveyor in that regard. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kevin Connor Swingtet's 'Guitar And Tres'

Kevin Connor Swingtet
Guitar And Tres
Self-Release

The Kevin Connor Swingtet brings to life Cuban son and jazz with lush song structures and tropical rhythms performed on guitar, tres, coro, clarinet, bass, drums, percussion, and vocals. The music is upbeat and danceable with a bouncy medley of jazz, gypsy rhythms, and Latin flavors that ignite soulful passion in listeners everywhere. The eleven tracks are varied, but the result is the same: a perfect concoction of vibrant, soul-stirring, Cuban jazz and swing that is anything but boring. Besides Kevin Connor, the Swingtet also incorporates the musicianship of Craig Flory, Jeff Norwood, Joseph Mascorella, Pedro Vargas, and Carlos Cascante. The talented cast shine through with various instruments and compositions. Nothing is amiss here. Fans of Cuban jazz, Cuban son, swing, Latin, and tropical music will find it deeply satisfying. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jitterbug Vipers' 'Phoebe's Dream'

Jitterbug Vipers
Phoebe's Dream
Self-Release

The Texas-based Jitterbug Vipers are a group that revives the swing music of the 1930s and 40s. However, this is not your typical upbeat swing music. The group gets its name from viper music, which was sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, etc. According to the band's website, viper gets its name from the "sssssst sound made by a viper being onomatopoeic for the sound made by an inhaling pot-smoker." Whatever it is called, the music if relatively laid-back with a good degree of quirky. The lazy, "When You're High," meanders with heavenly vocals and a jaunty, crystal clear guitar in hand. "Viper Moon" opens with a slow guitar tune and smoky vocals that are sweet, delicate, and sensual. There is some additional instrumentation, but it is largely reserved for percussion. "Stuff It" picks up the pace with a more energetic tune and sassy vocals with an almost spoken word presence. "Phoebe's Dream" opens with relaxed vocals and a sauntering guitar melody that is rather quirky, but the song picks up momentum with a swishy percussion set and classic arrangements. The twelve tracks are rather addictive and a seldom-heard mixture of viper tunes inspired by American swing music of the 1930s and 40s. Kick back and check it out today. ~ Matthew Forss