I Love the Life I Live, I Live the Life I Love - Royal Crown Revue, Dixon, Willie [1]
The Walkin' Blues - Royal Crown Revue, Bass, Ralph
Beyond the Sea - Royal Crown Revue, Lawrence, Jack [Lyr
Park's Place - Royal Crown Revue, Dorame, Mando
Datin' With No Dough - Royal Crown Revue, Nichols, Eddie
Trouble in Tinsel Town - Royal Crown Revue, Achor, James
Topsy - Royal Crown Revue, Battle, Edgar
The Rise and Fall of the Great Mondello - Royal Crown Revue, Nichols, Eddie
Honey Child - Royal Crown Revue, Malone, Deadric
Hey Pachuco! (Reprise) - Royal Crown Revue, Achor, James
Royal Crown Revue were between releases when the short-lived swing revival turned relative newcomers Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy into household names. Originally released in the preresurgence year 1996,... more » this collection finds Eddie Nichols's charismatic crooning and his band's revved-up revivalism in fine form. RCR favorites like "Hey Pachuco!" and "Zip-Gun Bop," which were both featured on the band's 1992 indie debut, are given the widescreen treatment here by Van Halen producer Ted Templeman. Other highlights include a cover of "Beyond the Sea" and "Barflies at the Beach," a wild remake of Louis Prima's "Sing Sing Sing" where Nichols sings the virtues of Flipper-laden tuna and other natural wonders. (Note: "Barflies" was added for this 1998 reissue.) As fate would have it, the band that launched the whole swing resurgence never really profited from its success. But as Nichols's heroes would say, that's show biz. --Bill Forman« less
Royal Crown Revue were between releases when the short-lived swing revival turned relative newcomers Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy into household names. Originally released in the preresurgence year 1996, this collection finds Eddie Nichols's charismatic crooning and his band's revved-up revivalism in fine form. RCR favorites like "Hey Pachuco!" and "Zip-Gun Bop," which were both featured on the band's 1992 indie debut, are given the widescreen treatment here by Van Halen producer Ted Templeman. Other highlights include a cover of "Beyond the Sea" and "Barflies at the Beach," a wild remake of Louis Prima's "Sing Sing Sing" where Nichols sings the virtues of Flipper-laden tuna and other natural wonders. (Note: "Barflies" was added for this 1998 reissue.) As fate would have it, the band that launched the whole swing resurgence never really profited from its success. But as Nichols's heroes would say, that's show biz. --Bill Forman
"as a huge swing fan who owns cds from brian setzer, cherry poppin' daddies, indigo swing, and big bad voodoo daddy as well as royal crown revue, i can honestly say that this one's my favorite. great mondello is the only track that i consistently skip. and, royal crown revue ROCKS in concert. i saw them in cincy at a club and they raged! my dad has not stopped talking about the concert since. also recommended: indigo swing. but if you like swing, and haven't bought this rcr cd yet, buy it. it's well worth the price."
Excellent album from the Revue
John Alapick | Wilkes-Barre, PA United States | 06/04/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This may be the best neo-swing album that came out in the '90s. The Royal Crown Revue had the songs, the musicianship, the charismatic frontman in Eddie Nichols, and were a great live band. All they didn't have was the success they truly deserved as they were the best neo-swing band period.
Mugzy's Move is their masterpiece. They perform both faster dance pieces and slower, more traditional swing with equal aplomb. Some of the faster tracks such as "Hey Pachuco!", "Park's Place" and "Mugzy's Move" are absolutely killer. The slower swing tracks like "Datin' With No Dough", "Honey Child", and "I Love The Life I Live" feel as though they're straight out of a 1930's movie. Their cover of "Beyond The Sea" is great as well. The playing is simply fantastic, particularly the horn section and drummer Danny Glass. Other strong tracks include "Zip Gun Bop", "Barflies At The Beach" and the instrumental "Topsy." I'd highly recommend this album to fans who like the more popular, but not nearly as talented bands of this genre like Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Brian Setzer Orchestra."
Swing Music, Swagger and All
Black Ice | CHICAGO | 10/23/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's a shame that Royal Crown Revue never got more credit for the Neo-Swing explosion of the mid-90's. While the Cherry Popping Daddys, Squirrel Nut Zippers and Bryan Setzer Orchestra put Swing on the charts, Mugzy's Move perfectly captures the gritty essence of the time frame better than any other CD. As a personal testament to the flavor of this album my Dad, a true zoot-suit hepcat in WWII era, loves when I play this CD because it takes him back to his heyday.
The visually impressive lyrics of Eddie Nichols, rich horn section and tight drum work of Daniel Glass pound out a hot collection of tunes with a swagger that proves Swing is more than a fashion, it's a way of life."
These guys are the BEST!
Black Ice | 09/28/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"RCR is by far my favorite of the neo swing movement. Eddie Nichols voice is comparable to Frank Sinatra. Mugzy's Move was the first cd I'd heard by these guys and it is great. Topsy is my fave; it's this great instumental. I also highly reccomend Caught in the Act, The Contender and Walk on Fire. You won't be disappointed."
Crime Jazz
Interplanetary Funksmanship | Vanilla Suburbs, USA | 06/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Established in 1989, Royal Crown Revue launched a swing revival that's still going strong and has spawned a host of imitators, from former Stray Cats singer Brian Setzer to the Cherry Poppin' Daddies. But Royal Crown Revue still rules the roost, with entries such as Walk on Fire (1999) and Greetings from Hollywood (2004). Whether you call it the bookish-sounding "neo-swing" or use the moniker supplied by front man singer Eddie Nichols--"hard-boiled swing"--you'll need a chaser after downing this powerful cocktail of swing laced with jive and rockabilly.
The accomplished sextet behind Nichols includes saxophonists Mando Dorame (tenor) and Bill Ungerman (barry), and trumpeter Scott Steen, backed by a rhythm section sharper than a stiletto: James Achor on guitar, Vinny Lepisto on bass, and drummer Daniel Glass. Nichols is, as they used to say, one hep cat: his voice brings to mind both Louies (Jordan and Prima), and the band's work reminds you of the "crime jazz" soundtracks of Elmer Bernstein and Henry Mancini. Listen to this one while reading Mickey Spillane's Kiss Me, Deadly and downing straight shots of Canadian Club.
Their signature tunes "Zip Gun Bop" and "Hey Pachuco!" are already standards in their own right. Their lightning-quick, be-bopping "Park's Place" brings back the best of Dizzy and Bird's jam sessions. Damn! These guys play tight! On "Beyond the Sea," Nichols out-swings and out-swoons Bobby Darin. "Barflies at the Beach"--a send-up of Louis Prima's version of "Sing, Sing, Sing"--closes this outing with a politically incorrect ditty about the delights of eating Charlie the Tuna...with a fin of Flipper thrown in for good measure. Yeah, man!"