Swing Out

Swing Out by Don Vappie

TRACKLIST & AUDIO

 
https://www.donvappie.com
 
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REVIEWS

OFFBEAT MAGAZINE US 15.05.2005
Swing Out
Swing Out from Vappie’s Creole Jazz Serenaders is an exuberant affair of traditional jazz loaded with sudden stops, quick changes, snappy high-hat cymbal snappings, clucking banjos and sailing trumpet, clarinet and sax solos that make for vibrant dance music. Similar to Banjo A La Creole, the Creole element in New Orleans jazz is evidenced by a trio of Creole French-sung numbers: Kid Ory’s risqué “Creole Song,” the sexy “Madame Becassine” and “Les Ognons.” The latter is a mature treatment of a children’s folk song in Haiti.
Although the folk song has long been adapted into the New Orleans trad jazz repertoire, and has been recorded and popularized by many, Vappie opted for Danny Barker’s signature arrangement. The song kicks off with clarinetist Tom Fischer playing the infectious melody line before by smooth crooner Vappie sings about cooking chickens and napping. Trumpeter Charlie Fardella shines on the next solo, which is then followed by both Fardella and Fischer madly diverging and converging upon the melody in unison.
Other Crescent City fodder includes a kicking version of King Oliver’s “Nelson’s Stomp” and a swanky rendition of Jelly Roll Morton’s “Fussy Mabel” featuring Fardella’s animated, muted trumpet blowing, Vappie’s crisp guitar picking and Larry Sieberth’s bouncy piano.
The Creole Jazz Serenaders venture beyond the Crescent City to cover significant New Orleans-influenced jazz groups such as McKinney’s Cotton Pickers (“Beedle-um-bum,” “Plain Dirt”) and Mills Blue Rhythm Band (“Blue Rhythm”). On Harry Reser’s soundtrack-resembling “Heebe Jeebes,” Vappie stages a dazzling clinic of virtuosity. For jazz disciples of any stripe, this double dose of Vappie is essential listening.
DAN WILLGING

RESONATOR US 22.02.2005
Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!
Don’s CD’s are always something to look forward to. On this CD he works as an arranger, composer, tenor banjoist, guitarist, mandolinist and vocalist. This particular CD features his Creole Jazz Serenaders. Most of the selections are in the early hot-Jazz dance band style, which reminds me of the days I spent playing drums with Vince Giordano’s Nighthawks. The tune selection is an encyclopedia of early American music.
The accent on this CD is on the band and Don’s terrific arrangements. There is a nice guitar solo on Morton’s seldom heard “Fussy Mabel,” a chord style banjo solo on Don’s “Look At Me” and a nice filigree run on mandolin at the end of “When the Angels Carry Me Home.” The rest of the CD is great band stuff with a fine group of super musicians and some lovely vocals.
However, two selections contain some of the best tenor banjo work I’ve ever heard. The first is a tune by the wonderful Martinique composer Stellio. It’s entitled “A Si Pare.” This would be a first-rate performance anytime—anyplace. The second is the Harry Reser piece “Heebie Jeebes.” It’s accompanied beautifully by the full orchestra. The sound of Don’s tenor banjo is so much different from Reser’s banjo or even Howard Alden’s OME, where he does the Reser stuff on Stomp Off Records. Although I like a lot of different banjo sounds, in this setting Don’s really works for me.
I very highly recommend this CD. SWING OUT is defiantly a winner!
EDDY DAVIS