Search - Lu Watters :: The Complete Good Time Jazz Recordings

This is where it all began

J. OBRIANT | Gilroy, CA USA | 11/30/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When Lu Watters formed the Yerba Buena Jazz Band, and they played in San Francisco and environs from about 1940-1950, they began the revival of New Orleans Jazz. This album contains all the tunes they recorded for the Good Times label during that decade, including several previously unreleased titles and alternate takes. The accompanying 50+ page booklet is a treasure which includes all the album notes from the original 78 RPM and 33 RPM releases of these recordings, plus additional photos and articles about Watters and the other band members.



The only reason this doesn't rate five stars is the dated sound, which is pretty good for its era.



If you're an aficianado of Traditional Jazz, this set needs to be in your library."

Inspiring

Jonathan C. Pytko | Lebanon, Penna. | 11/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I wish that the "Dixieland" bands of today, replete with their plastic boaters, and red and white striped vests, had 1/20th of the talent and raw energy of this group...and a repertoire to match. I thoroughly enjoyed this set, and look forward to obtaining any other material that exists outside of this set.



One minor issue of musicianship: the clarinetist from Disc 2 onwards is decidedly mediocre at times: a very thin tone, sloppy phrasing and mistakes that don't equal the quality of playing by the other band members. Perhaps some might like to excuse this, but it reminded me of the marginality of Jelly Roll Morton's reedman on some of his 1930 Red Hot Peppers recordings, except that the booklet praised this man's work. Well, we differ there. Johnny Doods, Jimmy Dorsey, Jimmie Noone, Barney Bigard, Albert Nicholas, et al, he is not!



Otherwise, enjoy!"