During the more than seven decades since the beginning of the Traditional Jazz Revival in the 1940s, Europe has been producing some first-rate traditional jazz bands. The French Preservation New Orleans Jazz Band has been one of these, and this recording of a concert at one of their favorite locations in Irigny, France, features two guests—Sammy Rimington from England on clarinet and alto sax and Fred Vigorito from the US on cornet, both having frequently appeared on other recordings by the band; so all are familiar with each other musically.
The tune list comprises several genres, just as one would have found with the bands playing New Orleans dance halls, and most of the tunes will be familiar to dancers of today. While the title “Calcutta” may not resonate immediately, once the track starts it should ring a bell. All the others will probably be immediately recognized.
Each tune is given a thorough workout, there being no three-minute limit as in the days of the 78. So we find the briefest time, 4 mins. 45 secs., being allotted to “Burgundy Street Blues” and the longest, 8 mins. 50 secs., being given to “Just a Closer Walk with Thee.” All the others fall somewhere in between these. With no time pressure, the musicians can explore in a laid-back fashion, and this they do, so that each tune opens up as they work their magic. Contrary to what we might expect, there is n
