THE BOONDOCKERS LIVE: "CAN YOU HEAR US IN THE REAR? DINNER MUSIC FOR BULIMICS (Mo label, 20 tracks)
Introduction; Royal Garden Blues; Political Commentary; Shake That Thing; Philosophical Observation; Can't Get (my car) Started; Marital Bliss skiffle music; Basin Street Blues; Bye Bye Blues; Ethical Issues; San Francisco Bay Blues; Pepe Plays the Violin; Risible Religious Issues; Just a Little While; Mother's Day Medley; Marital Bliss #2; Peoria; Phantasmagoria; Naughty Sweetie Blues; Patriotic Medley.

BOB RINGWALD'S FULTON STREET JAZZ BAND (Mountain Gold Records, 15 tracks)
Algiers Strut; Blue Turning Grey Over You; Once in a While; I'll Be seeing You; The Mooche; From Monday On; Oh, Daddy; Shout' Em, Aunt Tillie; If We Never Meet Again; Old Bones; One Foot in the Gutter; Something for Annie; The Curse of an Aching Heart; Save It Pretty Mama; High Society.

GENE MAYL'S DIXIELAND RHYTHM KINGS: THE NEW LOW DOWN (Delmark 232, 12 tracks)
Oh, Baby; Yellow Dog Blues; Royal Garden Blues; Someday Sweetheart; Doin' the New Low Down; Tiny's Blues; Black and Blue; Struttin' with some Barbecue; Tin Roof Blues; Doctor Jazz; Friendless Blues; Nagasaki.

CLIMAX JAZZ BAND: THE BEST OF MICK LEWIS (1985-2001, Tormax CD028) 63:48 min.
East Coast Trot; Blue Autumn; St. Philip St. Breakdown; Perdido St. Blues; Fish Seller; Mood Indigo; The Old Rugged Cross; Petite Fleur; Dans les rues d'Antibes; Burgundy St. Blues; Oh, Baby; Stranger on the Shore; Wildcat Blues; Margie; Over the Waves; South Rampart St. Parade.

CLIMAX JAZZ BAND: DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP (Tormax CD029) 58:28 min.
Don't Give up the Ship; Shout 'Em, Aunt Tillie; Georgia Grind; African Queen; Summerset; I Used to Love You; Trog's Blues; Lisa Jane; Clementine from New Orleans; Old Fashioned Swing; Harlem Bound.

CLIMAX JAZZ BAND: ALL THE GIRLS GO CRAZY (Tormax CD027) 71:46 min.
Red Wing; At a Georgia Camp Meeting; Going Home; Chattanooga Stomp; Creole Love Call; Willie the Weeper; Petite Fleur; Forty and Tight; Mandy Make Up Your Mind; Iko Iko; Magnolia's Wedding Day; Louisian-i-a; New Blues; Tell "Em About Me; High Society; All the Girls Go Crazy.

Reviewed by Bob Byler

It made my day to get these six CDs for review. CD output keeps growing as many bands issue their own. These are all wonderful recordings; the variety of tunes on each and among all underscores how much individuality is achieved by the today's fine jazz bands.

The irrepressible Boondockers have won a big fan following for mixing jazz by fine players and off-the-wall satire and tunes that are like comedy skits. This CD captures that variety; too bad it isn't video to show their on-stage antics. Their penchant for innovating is shown by sexed-up new lyrics for "Peoria." No topic escapes their irreverent examination. But they play it straight on most classic tunes and do them all very well. This CD and a later one are available from www.theboondockers.com

Bob Ringwald has reinvigorated the Fulton Street band he began in the 1960s since coming back as leader in 2005. It had become mainly a swing band in recent years and had lost some energy. It now covers a more traditional repertoire with some new members who show a passion for the music. This CD is enhanced by two vocals by Bob's movie-star daughter, Molly, who sang with the band as a child. Bob Ringwald's vocals on several tunes also are powerful. I'm glad to report that a legendary band has been effectively reinvented. The CD may be purchased from www.fultonstreetjazz.com/music.htm

Gene Mayl's DRK CD is a 2004 reissue of its 1965 Trip to Waukesha LP with four tunes added from that live concert. As always (since 1948 that is) Mayl's band rollicks through a Dixieland repertoire, and the new tunes add a blues feeling. Most impressive is Bill Coburn's moaning trombone on "Tiny's Blues." Others in the band are cornetist Dick Baars, clarinetist Pat Patterson, pianist Clarence Hall, banjoist Vic Tooker, drummer Glenn Kimmel. Mayl plays both tuba and bass. News update: I phoned Gene and learn that he is making new CDs from earlier LPs and a huge archive of live tapes. He has 14 available now via gene@landofjazz.com, and a Rhythm Kings video is on his YouTube site. The Delmark CD reviewed here is also available from www.delmark.com

The Climax Jazz Band has recorded a number of CDs, three of which are reviewed this month. Climax bandleader/bassist Chris Daniels and reedman Jim Buchmann are shown here at the 2007 San Diego Thanksgiving Festival. 

(Photo: Andrew Wittenborn)

I have long admired Toronto's driving Climax Jazz Band. These three CDs cover a gamut of its great repertoire and some personnel changes in recent years. My top pick is the tribute to clarinetist Mick Lewis, with tunes featuring him in 16 years before he moved to Alberta. Mick gets back to Toronto once or twice a year, and he was with the Climax band on its JazzSea cruise in January. I told him there, "You really play with passion." The CD captures that and his versatility very well. Guests on that CD include clarinetist Kenny Davern on two tunes and trombonist Spiegle Willcox on one.

Newer regulars heard on the other two CDs are reedman Jim Buchmann and cornetist Dave Kosmyna, who replaced Bob Erwig after he moved to British Columbia and sometimes alternates with Mick Collins. Longtime members on all are bassist Chris Daniels, trombonist Len Gosling, banjoist Jack Vincken and drummer Jamie Aug. If I'm stranded on a desert island, I want all of these in my stash. That seems to fit the "Don't Give Up the Ship" title. The other one could be renamed to specify that "all jazz fans," not just girls, go crazy about the always-inspiring Climax band.

Climax Jazz Band CDs are available from www.climaxjazz.com.

February 2008 issue | © 2008 The Mississippi Rag

P.O. Box 19068, Minneapolis, MN 55419.