Search - J Street Jumpers :: Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby

J Street where Have You Been Hiding?

07/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In today's music market, including the world of swing all too often bands appear who are harping on that rock n' roll early 90s sound with a swing beat. This works less often then it is tried. The J Street Jumpers are one of the few bands of late that more than play the notes on the sheet in front of them. The J Street Jumpers feel the music. This is obvious in their recent release "Is you is or is you ain't my baby?". There is an interesting sound at work here that harkens back to the decades of the 30s to the 50s. J Street owes a lot the the allure of Marianna Previti for her vocal stylings that range from Andrew Sister-esque to sounding a little like a young Ella Fitzgerald. Previti delivers her lines with of confidence a determined woman from the silver screen of the 40s. This is actually quite refreshing and something I personally have been wanting to hear from a swing band with female vocals. "Is you is..", begins with a punch with its first track Better Beware, then smoothly slides into a sultry number with Ain't But One. Arthur Gerstein, pianist also provides vocals. Gerstein's vocals on Night Life Boogie lack the knack that Previti's does, but he makes up for his vocals with his piano playing. Amazingly the J Street Jumpers cover Louis Prima's "swing version of Smells Like Teen Spirit", also known as "Jump, Jive & Wail". Here for the first time is an interesting rendition which both Gerstein and Previti share the vocal duties. For once this over-covered song almost works. Sixteen tracks are compiled on this CD, all covers, but done tastefully. Often with well placed passion for the musical execution. J Street's four horn section, upright bass, drums and a well placed electric guitar, please the ears especially on "When I Get Low I Get High" and "Sure Had A Wonderful Time Tonight." J Street, who hail from the Washington DC, visually don't look like the modern 90s swing group, although as mamma always said, "You can't judge a book by it's cover". J Street tends to play more political parties than they do night clubs which is sad, because they have become one of the best kept secrets on the east coast."

The Real Deal

09/09/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Compared to the likes of current Retro Swing Bands, that for the most part don't even come close to anything resembling the swing or jump blues bands of the 40's, it is refreshing to hear a band that for the most part, nails it."

Marianna Previti: Queen of Swing

VMAN | DC | 02/01/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is outstanding, due mainly to the vocal stylings of the great Marianna Previti. This three-time WAMA Wammie award-winning singer proves without a doubt that DC jazz is hottest in the world. Buy it and you'll soon learn what everyone else already knows: Marianna Previti is the Queen of Swing!!"