Search - Blue Plate Special :: Night Out With Blue Plate Special

The Best - but reissue the original

Allen K. Lunde | Chico, CA USA | 04/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Sure I'm prejudice because Blue Plate Special came right out of my hometown. Nevertheless, a long stint at The Derby honed this band into - hands down - the best neo-swing band of the last 15 years. Blue Plate Special is not a converted rock or ska band that chose to take advantage of the neo-swing movement. They are firmly based in jazz. This album captures that band at the height of their talents, before other opportunities shattered the line-up. That is, most of the album does that. Anthony Parcheesi replaces Fred Stuart's original vocals on the first two songs. Stuart had left the band between the original recording sessions and the albums wide release. Parcheesi has a pleasant voice but can't match Stuart's ability to tell a story with his vocals. I haven't heard of the band in a while, so it may have finally given in. If you want to hear the best the neo-swing movement had to offer, get this album...but they should reissue the original version."

A Night Out with Blue Plate Special!

Martin 13 | Slovenia | 06/17/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"When I heard "Night Out" and "Work That Skirt" I was very impresed. So I bought this album. And I can tell you it is nothing special."

A must for any swing-jazz collection

jeff hirshberg | New york | 12/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have tasted a number of swing albums, each with a style different from any other. The one I keep coming back to over and over is " A Night Out With Blue Plate Special "; You will see how crisp and tight the brass section is, while the lead vocal captivates you, and keeps you fixed on the melody. Like a good buffet, there is alot to select from, with no repeated style from one selection to another. With each song, there is a new flavor to get your attention.
"Night out", the first song grabs your attention immediatly, where the lead vocals are clearly in control of the song and keep your attention to the end.
The brass arrangment in " a message from paul drake " is very dramatic and involved.
"Tango of sorrow" shows how very talented the group is when going into a style few can show accomplishment in.
The icing on the cake for this album is "Night in Havana" where you are drawn into a night club in old Havana watching the dancers move to the rhumba in a smokey room, with the taste of gin, and the heat of the tropics. It makes you wish you could have lived in that time, and experienced a life style long gone.
I was very fortunate to have found this album; dont pass it up."