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Sweet Megg: Bluer Than Blue

By Nicholas F. Mondello
July 22, 2024
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One of the more niche genres in the history of jazz is western swing. Primarily dance music and hugely popular in the Southwest, it originated as a jambalaya blending hot jazz, country, blues, pop and traditional fiddle playing, performed by combos such as the Light Crust Doughboys and Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. It incorporated instrumentation including violins, steel and electric guitars with other instruments. The music was a precursor of rockabilly. Bluer Than Blue superbly resurrects that energetic style by delivering 12 marvelously-performed Western swing-styled tracks—covers and one original—that feature fine vocalist

Sweet Megg

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Sweet Megg backed by a terrific cadre of first-class trad players. The result is a joyous romp. "Bluer Than Blue" launches as an up-tempo two-beat with

Mike Davis

cornet
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike Davis' muted trumped and

Ricky Alexander

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Ricky Alexander's clarinet before Megg energetically croons, with a slide guitar answering.

Justin Poindexter

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Justin Poindexter and

Chris Scruggs

guitar, steel

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Scruggs' guitars add swing.

Billy Contreras

violin

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Contreras fiddles as all join and burn here.

"One More Time with Feeling" from

Kris Kristofferson

" data-original-title="" title="">Kris Kristofferson and Shel Silverstein leans mostly on the country and western vibe with a raucous hot jazz section. Megg takes this one home, belting over the party behind her. "I Wonder Where You Are Tonight," a classic country selection, has Megg pining away with violin and guitar accompanying. Alexander's fine tenor counterpoints Megg well here. Wills' famous "San Antonio Rose," a kick 'em up classic, incorporates a vocal overdub and fine solos from fiddle, guitar, steel guitar and piano before moving into a traditional jazz style back-and-forth, all chiming in for a ride and a hellaciously joyous climax. This track is a highlight and a brilliantly arranged and played example of the western swing genre. "Someday Sweetheart," is a honky-tonk good-timer in which trad star trumpeter Davis, trombonist,

Sam Chess

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Sam Chess and others dig into the two-beat and shuffle grooves behind Megg's rhythmically effervescent singing. Megg Farrell is a fascinatingly interesting and talented vocalist. Originally from New York, she has the Patsy Cline and classic country-western influences perfected. She is animated and involved and is wise not to overdo the vocal slides and yodel effects sometimes prevalent in the that style.

Lyrically and rhythmically, she is aces. Much of the material is story lyric and, whether on a slower ballad or up-tempo two-beat, she delivers. Probably the most unique, if not oddest, track on the date from a production standpoint is the cover of

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood." The team covers the workhorse in a very slow, almost elegiac style reminiscent of "Laura Palmer's Theme" from Twin Peaks (ABC Television, 1990). Slide guitar, organ and a violin solo add to the spookiness. "Lonesome Hearted Blues" is a white-hot burning blues which features

Dalton Ridenhour

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Dalton Ridenhour wailing jazz a la

Count Basie

piano
1904 - 1984

" data-original-title="" title="">Count Basie and Contreras with a burner of a solo. It is a perfect blend of swing, groove and Megg's vocal—another highlight. "Remember Me," originally written and performed by Stuart Hamblen, closes the session with more of a shuffling country flavor. Alexander's tenor and the ensemble call and respond. Megg shines as this curtain falls. The accompanying on this album are all exceptional performers. Davis, Alexander and Ritenhour are A-listers in traditional jazz and have a lengthy track record of both successful recordings and celebrated performances. Bassist

Dennis Crouch

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Dennis Crouch and drummer

Chris Gelb

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Chris Gelb excellently cover the wide variety of rhythmic grooves.

Bluer Than Blue is a bit of an acquired taste. It is both a superbly performed effort and a grateful historical hat-tip to a genre worthy of additional listening.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Bluer Than Blue; Once More with Feeling; I Wonder Where You Are Tonight; San Antonio Rose; Someday Sweetheart; Please Help Me I'm Falling; Little Bit; In a Sentimental Mood; Leaving On Your Mind; It's All Over Now; Lonesome Hearted Blues; (Remember Me) I'm the One Who Loves You.

Personnel

Sweet Megg

vocals

Billy Contreras

violin

Chris Gelb

drums

Chris Scruggs

guitar, steel

Dalton Ridenhour

piano

Dennis Crouch

bass

Justin Poindexter

guitar

Mike Davis - Trumpet

trumpet

Ricky Alexander

woodwinds

Sam Chess

trombone

Additional Instrumentation

Timbo: vocal (6); Ashley Campbell: vocal (10); Chris Scruggs: backing vocals; Chris Gelb: backing vocals; Wild Bill: backing vocals.

Album information

Title: Bluer Than Blue | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Turtle Bay Records

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