Whiskey Moon Face

I've recently reviewed two traditional jazz albums featuring the distinctive vocals of Louisa Jones. (Man Overboard Qunitet, The Cable Street Rag Band.) She is accompanied by many of the same musicians here but Whiskey Moon Face is her chance to take the musical reigns. They play original material set to her enchanting lyrics. The other bands mostly stick to the jazz canon. I hear so many well worn songs that it is wonderful to listen to something new and her delivery brings explanation to every word. The most well known member is the phenomenal clarinetist Ewan Bleach who seems to be able to adapt and shine in any situation, he helps arrange the music for the band. Dakota Jim Ydstie also stands out not least because of his highly characteristic voice on a track or two from each album. It is remarkably well paired with Jones' both in harmony and in maintaining a coherent feel from song to song. Ydstie also plays bass and accordion, two instruments, notably, of the several that Jones plays herself. Jones has had advanced training in an Indian classical singing style so her unique vocal control is no happy accident. (This video, of a song from One Blinding Dusky Dusk, illustrates the contributions of Ydstie and Bleach, but isn't the best example of their distinct "sound".) The trio forms the heart of the band and for many tracks on this album, it is just those three.  T