Search - Rebirth Brass Band :: Main Event: Live at Maple Leaf

Only in New Orleans

10/29/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The ressurgence of brass band music in New Orleans, a tradition deep-rooted in the culture of the city, came about with the Dirty Dozen. However, ReBirth has picked up where the Dozen left off and this album is the proof. Never before has any live album contained so much unconstrained funk and energy.This is not album you simply listen to with your ears, its an album you listen to with your entire body."

Reliving the experience...

Shawn A. Taylor | Charleston, WV USA | 01/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was in New Orleans last week, and just happened to stumble across Rebirth in the Maple Leaf! Can you believe that a brass band can jam a jazz-like improvisation for 20 minutes? Rebirth can, and it's hypnotizing! Who would've guessed that a snare drum and a sousaphone could produce such a powerful rythym section... If you have a hunger for live music, then this CD is for you."

Must be better live

Michael F. Maddox | Tallahassee, Florida United States | 11/23/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"It's quite apparent that the Rebirth Brass Band knows how to jam. The energy, the excitement...it's all there in the album; you can tell these guys are having as much fun as their audience. But this album is just awful for two reasons: 1) The recording is bad. 2) The musicianship displayed is NOT top-quality.



The recording levels, combined with the proximity of a snare drum add a constant buzz to the sound--particularly the sousaphone--that will drive you nuts! I want to hear a powerful, booming rhythm section, but fuzzy sound just sucks the enjoyment right out of what is obviously a jumping set.



The CD is fun, and it's obvious everyone is having a blast, but don't hope much for a good sound or brilliant technical artistry. This is a party band. Their attacks are shaky, their intonation suspect, and their abilities obviously not at acme during the session. Solos are repetitive and unmusical. Musical dynamics are all triple-f. The band loves to scream hip-hop rhymes and catchphrases during lulls and between tunes--rap-stuff like the ubiquitous "now somebody scream!" Poor sound feedback at the venue? Too much drinking? Who knows? The CD becomes one long, monotonous, atonal mass of squawking brass and silly audience-prodding. It all adds up to something resembling a drunken pep-rally.



I had very high hopes for this CD, and I still hold out some hope for the band. I love Dixieland. I love brass. I didn't love this album, and that really, really disappoints me."