One extra beneficial aspect of Woody Allen movies; there’s always good music in the background. This time around he mixes vintage uptown swing from the Rogers and Hart songbook with present day trad vocalist Kat Edmonson, Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, and a few original recordings as well.
Edmonson does her Blossom Dearie-est read of “Mountain Greenery,” while Benny Goodman glides on “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was” and Count Basie sets the stage for Lester Young on “Taxi War Dance.” The piano lead small band renditions of material like “Jeepers Creepers,” “Have You Met Miss Jones” and “The Lady is A Tramp” is upscale and gentlemanly swinging. Think Andre Previn’s work with Shelly Manne and you’re half way there. More than nostalgia, lots of fun.