Hugs & Misses: Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Dana Cooper, Pendragon

11.15.2005 -- Review by: Stephen Hug

Hugs and Misses

by Stephen Hug

“This is the Dirty Dozen Brass Band Collection,” by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band (Shout Factory)—This New Orleans ensemble was started in the late 1970s to preserve the dying Crescent City brass band traditions ( e.g. playing up-tempo music in the street during funeral processions) that were apparently being forgotten even in the French Quarter. “Bourbon Street had gone disco and country-western,” says founder Gregory Davis in the CD’s booklet. Since their first gigs playing funerals and other functions, they’ve broadened their repertoire to include R & B and even progressive jazz. This CD portrays their range, with traditional pieces like “John the Revelator,” and “Just A Closer Walk With Thee,” to “Oop Pop A Dah” by Dizzy Gillespie, with Dizzy sitting in on the session in the late 1980s. While their work with other international stars isn’t included on this compilation, it should be noted that they have worked with the likes of Elvis Costello (on his “Spike” and “Mighty Like A Rose” album) who wrote: “Every note the Dozen played—on ballads and on swinging and stomping numbers—was exactly what was needed.” No rating on this CD from me, because it’s a “greatest hits” type of collection. Suffice it to say it’s fab! If you’d like to learn more about New Orleans music traditions, check out the DVD “Make It Funky!” (Sony Pictures Home Entertainment) which stars Allen Toussaint, Aaron Neville along with the Neville brothers group, the Funky Meters, Irma Thomas, Lloyd Price, Bonnie Raitt, Keith Richards, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and others. One more note for readers in the Massachusetts/Rhode Island area: the group plays the Narrows Center for the Arts on Friday, November 18.

“Made of Mud,” by Dana Cooper (King Easy Records)—This is a nicely understated example of the art of the singer/songwriter. The songs are pleasant, at times infectious, and the arrangements and performances tasteful. The opening track, “Step Into The Light,” which has a light reggae feel, deserves to be covered and turned into a hit by a mainstream country performer or maybe Bonnie Raitt or Sheryl Crow. “Sit This One Out” has a Roger McGuinn (so that means Tom Petty, too) feel that the ex-Byrd, or Petty, could readily turn into a jingle-jangle classic. 3 ½ bottle caps. Nice job! He’s on tour, playing Texas over the next several days before heading to Europe. If his live performance is as good as this album, he’s worth seeing.

“Artistic License,” by Pendragon (Riverfolk Productions)—This group is well known by live music lovers in the Rhode Island/Massachusetts areas for their longtime dedication to the Celtic traditions brought by Irish, Scottish and other immigrants to mills in the Blackstone River area of Rhode Island and Massachusetts. But they also tackle a bluegrass tune (“Handsome Molly”) on this record, do a cover of Procol Harum’s big 1960s hit, “A White Shade of Pale,” and a traditional sailor song (“North Wind”) one of the members learned from Pete Seeger. I’ve done a CD project with them, so I won’t rate this album. On the other hand, I do want to raise awareness of their work, particularly to readers interested in American labor history.