Benko, a renowned Broadway star and enthusiast of things New Orleans, leads an exuberant ensemble through a variety of genres making for an enjoyable 38 minutes.
Down in New Orleans Medley takes us on a Tuba Skinny style romp incorporating Bourbon Street Parade; Go to the Mardi Gras; and Basin Street Blues. Benko is au fait with the idiom and the band sound authentic.
Ticklin' Time is a mix of Let the Good Times Roll and Tipitina. An earthy vocal from Benko and some whorehouse piano from her spouse Yeager - label it r 'n' b.
The Lakes of Pontchartrain, a traditional Crescent City folk song. A nice folksy vocal, sympathetic flugel from Warren and that universal theme of unrequited love in a rustic setting that is indigenous to folk songs the world over.
Funky Fate has some tap from Manzari who certainly knows how to hoof. The songs are Iko Iko and Tootie Ma is a Big Fine Thing. Mama Benko knows her funk!
Ma Belle Evangeline: A combination of Randy Newman's Ma Belle and the words of Longfellow's Evangeline done in an engaging 3/4 time.
Pretty Baby harks back to its New Orleans roots with tailgate trombone, rippling clarinet, tightly muted trumpet and 'boo-boop-a-do' vocal.
Don't You Come Home Bill Bailey. No that isn't a typo and in many ways it's a more appropriate one! Benko is at her finest here leading the ensemble with a strident vocal that keeps the aforementioned Mr William Baker out in the cold - the dirty dog!
St. James Infirmary. Benko and Manzari share the vocal on this traditional lament. Done in 7/8 time, tapper Manzari trades fours with drummer Sawyer. A brilliant Yeager arrangement.
Jai Passé Devant Ta Porte. An intimate Cajun folk song in 3/4. Voice accompanied by accordion, violin and banjo add yet another genre to this mixed bag of goodies.
Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans? Recorded live in Birdland, a gentle vocal is followed by a tinkling piano solo and a laid back chorus by tenor saxist Arntzen before Benko returns with the grand finale.
I enjoyed it immensely my only reservation being that the multi-genre nature of the album may deter the purist. It shouldn't. Check it out, you'll be pleasantly surprised! Lance
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