The enticing trio of Elena James/fid-voc, Whit Smith/g-voc and Jake Orwin/b delivers gypsy rhythms and themes on this tribute to Django Reinhard’s Hot Club of France. Outsized 3:5 in number of musicians in comparing the two bands, this delightful trio makes up for it with enthusiasm and Texan charm. Both Smith and James have a warm western lilt to their voices as Smith’s 200 grade sandpaper of a vocals wears well on “I’m in the Mood for Love” and a sleek “The Continental.” James is buoyant and night at the VFW charming on “Slow Boat to China.” The songs are predominantly from the Depression era, so lots of guileless innocence in the lyrics abound, and the bounce of the three piece team keeping you tapping your toes. They’ve also got chops, however, as James displays on a wild solo during “Dark Eyes” and Smith picks like a Belgian caravan driver in “Douce Ambience.” Music and an attitude from an era that never gets tiring. Will we say the same about the music from this period?
Gold Strike Records