Re-released at last, feels like you're there
microjoe | 08/24/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This fantastic and popular Dixieland jazz band played at Disneyland, and this is a live recording of their show there in 1962. The Dukes original LP "Disneyland" album has been out of print for awhile, but is valued by collectors as not only the groups best work, but one of the hottest Dixieland Jazz records ever made - period! Now it has been re-released at last in 2004 on the "Collectibles" label and we are thankful. It is a live album, and some of the old standards are longer and more improvised. The onstage banter is really nice to hear, like a window in time. The audience knows how lucky they are to see these guys in person.
During the opening of Disneyland in 1955, Walt Disney initiated music programs at Disneyland that allowed top acts of the Day to play in several small intimate venues at the Disneyland Park. These were bands that went through the audition process, as well as famous groups. There was a bandstand by the Riverfront, they had acts perform at Plaza Garden, Frontierland Bandstand, New Orleans Square (built later than the rest), Tommorrowland stage, the Mark Twain Riverboat, and the Golden Horseshoe Saloon. Big acts like Louis Armstrong, Firehouse Five plus Two, Elliot Brothers, the Mellomen, all played Disneyland after dark on Fridays and Saturdays in June through September. This was known as "Date Night at Disneyland". Walt Disney had a strong regard for Dixieland music and in 1960 Disneyland begin hosting an annual Dixieland Festival in the fall. Eight groups would perform at one or other of the indoor and outdoor venues. Then an evening show was set up with thousands of chairs on the riverfront, and each band would take their turn playing on a raft that would slowly float back and forth in front of the crowd during it's set. This set is from the 1962 festival, and the recording is their live performance in the Plaza Garden, 6 tracks in all. Some are as long as 7 minutes, as the boys got improvisational as the mood hit them.
Included are the great original liner notes from the LP, in the CD booklet. And what a deal, we also get their 1964 Worlds Fair album thrown in, with 10 more tracks. Two re-mastered albums for the price of 1 CD. I highly reccommend!
"
Original Dukes of Dixieland
microjoe | 03/26/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a CD of two "original" Dukes of Dixieland recordings. The Dukes at Disneyland (1962) and Stuttin at the World's Fair (1964). Both are great sessions, the one at Disneyland is live and includes some great songs which are longer in length than most of the previous Assunto's recordings. This may be considered their best recording. The songs "Saints", "Royal Garden Blues" and "Canal Sreet Blues" are really great. Struttin at the Worlds Fair is also very good. This recording is one of the last recordings that trombonist Fred Assunto did before he became ill. Trumpeter Frank Assunto's work is outstanding as usual. Also "Sweethearts on Parade" shows off Frank's fine singing voice. This CD is a must buy for the Real Dukes of Dixeland fan! Jerry Fuller on clarinet and Barrett Deems on drums are also featured."
Pete Fountain Fan
Pete Jazz | USA | 03/23/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Two great recordings from one of the greatest jazz bands ever. Highlights include: Original Dixieland Jazz Band One-Step, Wolverine Blues, Washington Post March and more. This will grab you and keep you going. Highly recommended, as are all of the Real (Assunto) Dukes recordings."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1