Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The Hot 8 Brass Band "Rock With The Hot 8 Brass Band" (2007)



The Hot 8 are one of the young generations of New Orleans Brass Bands.  As such, this album seamlessly blends jazz, hip hop, R&B, & gospel into an exciting melange unique to New Orleans.  There's a simple, documentary style production involved, which allows for the party atmosphere from a live performance to come through.  It's 71 minutes of a hot greasy funky party.  It's not the same as seeing a Brass Band live, but it comes as close as I've heard.


Doug Paisley "Doug Paisley" (2008)



Doug Paisley seems to be a talented young songwriter well on his way to finding his own voice.  His debut harkens back to the folk rock sounds of the 70s.  But there is as much Bonnie Prince Billy here as there is Neil Young or John Prine.  The rough vocals (especially the on duets) are a giveaway that this is not some lost relic of the 70s, but rather a contemporary production.  Still, the warm analog sound would not be out of place among a collection of older material.  This is not a stellar collection, but it certainly has its bright spots, & offers quite a bit of promise for the future.