Search - Kenny Ball :: Midnight in Moscow

Good, happy Dixieland jazz.

simnia | snowy bayou country, USA | 04/16/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, this is not Kenny Ball's original album with "Midnight In Moscow" (1962)--that original album (on vinyl) had a different cover and a different selection of songs. This collection has all his UK hits from 1961-1967, plus others. I like every song I've ever heard by Kenny Ball, and this album is no exception. His band tends to play authentic sounding Dixieland jazz, with banjo instead of guitar, and the songs tend to be lively, technically proficient, and have tasteful solos. "Midnight In Moscow" with its haunting minor key sound was a hit single in 1962, which is how I first became familiar with the band, and some of these standard songs like "Sukiyaki" and "Rondo" go back so far that I probably wasn't even born when they first appeared. "Saturday Night" (a live blues recording) has a particularly interesting banjo solo. Ordinarily such a thin, twangy banjo solo borders on being laughable, but the melodic notes here were chosen so well that the solo stands out as one of the better solos on the album. In general, this is good quality, lively, happy Dixieland jazz with universal appeal."

Literally changed my musical interests for life...

Steve Rumley | Helena, MT USA | 01/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"No kidding, it did, from note one. That was over 40 years ago. Then, as now when you hear the group start into "Midnight in Moscow," you know something quite unique is afoot. (I love to watch people's reactions.)It's the infectious energy the young Brits in the band pour into their work and Ball's trademark bell-like trumpet sound, uncannily spot-on, always. Hearing this odd treatment of the sadly beautiful Russian folk melody... well, it works! It was and is magic. But it isn't just one song or one album. It's in all their work. You don't find the long obligatory solos that so often mar the Dixieland performance. There are short solos and they are brilliant but Ball and the band are unique in the way they just get together and COOK. It's hard to not get involved. I especially like their cover of tunes that are not the traditional Dixie fare. And finally, I wouldn't easily believe they are reading music. It's seems they are playing music, not vice versa. In my view, this is a very high degree of musicianship. The listener knows right away if you fail."

Festive, at times Ecstatic Dixieland

Anne Rice | Little Paradise, California | 07/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an instant mood elevator. A smashing, original and utterly delightful album which captures the joyful quality of New Orleans jazz even though it's not from New Orleans. Put this music on and dance! It's rich, endlessly varied, fresh and even a little sweet-- and packed with glorious energy. Can't recommend it enough. When you're listening to this, you're on Bourbon Street no matter where you are. This is one you'll want to share with others -- a dynamite gift for just about anybody."