Up a Lazy River

Up a Lazy River

by Leon Redbone
Up a Lazy River

Up a Lazy River

by Leon Redbone

CD(Reissue)

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Overview

Idiosyncratic singer/songwriter Leon Redbone spent the 1990s building upon his sizable cult following with more uncanny arrangements of vintage pop and jazz tunes, while simultaneously unveiling a few of his own compositions. Sporting an unmistakable and remarkably limber baritone, Redbone continues his fusion of Americana with some distinct and flavorful overtones that would not sound out of place in the Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli-led Quintet of the Hot Club of France. This is evident right out of the box on Redbone's "Play Gypsy Play," as guitarist Frank Vignola and violinist Stan Kurtis provide a hearty Hot Club vibe. An almost palpable sense of mystery shrouds the somnolent "At the Chocolate Bon Bon Ball," incorporating Alfredo Pedernera on the Argentinean bandoneon -- a native instrument with a tonality close to that of its' European descendant, the concertina. Pedernera weaves hypnotically beneath the march-like cadence, unifying the otherwise disparate sonic elements. The easygoing languid cover of Hoagy Carmichael's "Lazy River" can easily be considered a seminal entry in Redbone's repertoire, with just enough energy to gently move the song along. Special guest Dr. John tickles the ivories further accenting the sumptuous melody. "When Dixie Stars Are Playing Peek-a-Boo" is an obscure side dating to the early 20th century. Asleep at the Wheel's Cindy Cashdollar picks a down-home dobro, modernizing the rural blues amalgam and definitely hearkening to the original. Similarly, Redbone's interpretation of "Mr. Jelly Roll Baker" has one foot in the past while leaping toward a rollicking renewal of the Beale Street blues from whence the selection was derived. Again, Cashdollar is heard here, twanging beneath a full-bodied lead vocal and some buoyant sax interjections from multi-instrumentalist Vince Giordano, who also plays piano, drums and bass on the track. His sax spills over on to the humor-laden take-off/put-on rendering of Papa Charlie Jackson's bawdy blues "Gotta Shake That Thing." Other standouts on Up a Lazy River (1992) include the Redbone co-penned "That Old Familiar Blues" and "Bittersweet Waltz" -- both boasting additional contributions from Dr. John -- although the latter shouldn't be mistaken for the Noel Coward song of the same name. ~ Lindsay Planer

Product Details

Release Date: 08/17/2004
Label: Rounder Select / Rounder
UPC: 0011661323728
Rank: 79685

Tracks

  1. Play Gypsy Play
  2. At the Chocolate Bon Bon Ball
  3. Lazy River
  4. When Dixie Stars Are Playing Peek-A-Boo
  5. Mr. Jelly Roll Baker
  6. Gotta Shake That Thing
  7. You're a Heartbreaker
  8. Bittersweet Waltz
  9. Goodbye Charlie Blues
  10. That Old Familiar Blues
  11. A Dreamer's Holiday
  12. I'm Going Home

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Leon Redbone   Primary Artist,Banjo,Guitar,Vocals
Frank Vignola   Guitar
Vince Giordano   Bass,Tuba,Banjo,Drums,Piano,Sax (Bass)
Terry Waldo   Piano
Bobby Gordon   Clarinet,Saxophone
Ken Peplowski   Clarinet,Saxophone
Dr. John   Piano
Tom Greto   Shaker
Giampaolo Biagi   Drums
Hal Shane   Vocals (Background)
Manhattan Rhythm Kings   Vocals (Background)
Tripp Hanson   Vocals (Background)
Cindy Cashdollar   Dobro
Scott Black   Cornet
Brian Nalepka   Bass,Shaker,Vocals (Background)
Alfredo Pedernera   Bandoneon
Brian   Shaker
Syndi Cashdollar   Dobro
Arnold Kinsella, Jr.   Drums,Tom-Tom,Trombone,Percussion
Kiichiro Iwaki   Violin
Scott Miller   Shaker
Stan Kurtis   Violin

Technical Credits

Craig Safan   Composer
Jack Sallee   Composer
Kim Gannon   Composer
Kansas Joe McCoy   Composer
Traditional   Composer
Sidney Arodin   Composer
Beryl Handler   Producer
Greg Calbi   Mastering
Doug Epstein   Mixing,Engineer
Leon Redbone   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Arrangement Preparation
Mark Mueller   Composer
Tom Greto   Mixing,Engineer
Hoagy Carmichael   Composer
Ed Nelson, Jr.   Composer
Mabel Wayne   Composer
Scott Black   Composer
Todd Childress   Assistant,Mixing Assistant
Brian Nalepka   Group Member
Harry Pease   Composer
Harry Edelheit   Composer
George Panagiotakopoulos   Assistant,Assistant Engineer
Nancy Depra   Photography
Russell Robinson   Composer
Neil Kellerhouse   Design,Art Direction
Al Bernard   Composer
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