Search - Royal Society Jazz Orchestra :: A Sunny Disposish

A Top-Notch Smorgasboard of 20's & Early 30's Music

10/12/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The RSJO is a true to the era orchestra capable of producing both the "sweet" and "hot" jazz styles of the later 20's and early 30's.This eclectic CD includes pop tunes (e.g., Button Up Your Overcoat, The Very Thought of You), a tango (Por Una Cabeza), and even a couple of era waltzes (e.g., Falling in Love Again).The vocals add much to the CD. Jeff Gilbert's Russ Columbo-like voice has to be one of the best male voices today, one cannot get enough of Carla Normand, and Frederick Hodges fits into the Eddie Cantor style well (though his voice does not resemble Cantors). It was especially enjoyable to finally hear the lyrics to "Clementine."Three male soloists, bandleader Don Neely, Jeff Gilbert, and Frederick Hodges noticably enjoyed cutting the "You Brought A New Kind of Love" track. They have fun with Maurice Chevalier imitations!The instrumentals solos are well done and true to the era. This is a wonderful CD and highly recommended. Definitely in my top 10!"

Sunny Disposish

Cheryl Bennett | SF Bay Area | 02/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra's greatest among their great collections of the happy '20s and '30s jazz. "Sunny Disposish" is uplifting and Fredrick Hodges' "I Love Me" is a perfect rendition of one of the funniest songs ever written. Please provide samples."