CD Review: Chicago Stompers - Sing...It's Good for You!

(Review by Lance)

The philological use of vintage musical instruments, instrumentation, and inspired period clothes, together with a unique, peppy and sparkling show, is the most distinctive feature of this ensemble, which has already tread the boards of the most important “classic jazz” events in the world

So reads the words on the band’s website. As this young Italian band played at Whitley Bay in 2008/2009, who’s going to argue?

The music covers the period circa 1924 - 1934. Jazz? Hot Dance Music? A mixture of both. They do it well although one asks the question, as has been asked elsewhere recently, why? Why do musicians, many under 30, elect to play music from their grandparent’s era? Why indeed? One could pose the same question as to why musicians play Beethoven rather than Stockhausen or John Cage or actors play Shakespeare. Answer is simple – art is timeless. Do it your way and to hell with fashion!

Getting back to the Chicago Stompers, There are moments here that are reminiscent of early Ellington, Fletcher Henderson as well as Goldkette and Whiteman. They do it well with lots of hot choruses – are Bix, Tram, the Dorseys etc. really dead or did they become reincarnated in Italy? – and, with vocals in the manner of Ruth [Etting] or Annette [Hanshaw], this will keep you going until the next gig by the New Century Ragtime Orchestra

Don’t look for any flatted-fifths, roll back the carpet, call you’re number one flapper, and polish up your shimmy. Then, afterward, you and your flapper could just sit back and relax with cups of gin from the bathtub.

Lance.

YouTube.