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Swingadelic: Bluesville

By Jack Bowers
June 29, 2020
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If you're partial to music that is sunny and freewheeling and almost commands a smile, you should have no trouble warming to Bluesville, the eighth recording by New Jersey-based Swingadelic, now twenty-two years old and counting. As its name implies, the orchestra (more often than not a mini-big band a dozen or so strong) re-creates an era wherein young fun-lovers (and some older ones as well) listened, danced and grooved to bands whose essential purpose was to make sure everyone had a good time and went home (or wherever) wearing a grin.

The repertoire is wide-ranging, the mood bluesy but seldom depressing. As a rule, it's far more upbeat than downcast, opening (and closing) with lively versions of "The Late Late Show," the last an instrumental, the first sung (perhaps) by

John Bauers

piano and vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">John Bauers (the jacket says

Neal Pawley

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Neal Pawley, the liner notes Bauers). That's of no concern, however, as Bauers and Pawley are more or less interchangeable.

Vanessa Perea

vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">Vanessa Perea is listed as the vocalist on "Fool's Paradise," whereas it's actually Bauers (or maybe Pawley). Perea is heard on

Mary Lou Williams

piano
1910 - 1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Mary Lou Williams' "What's Your Story, Morning Glory" and Brook Benton's "I Don't Know," while guitarist

Andy Riedel

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Andy Riedel doubles as vocalist on the funky "You're Humbuggin' Me." There's one more vocal, by pianist

Mitch Woods

piano
b.1951

" data-original-title="" title="">Mitch Woods, on

Mose Allison

piano and vocals
1927 - 2016

" data-original-title="" title="">Mose Allison's droll "Parchman Farm," with guest drummer

Jimmy Coleman

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Jimmy Coleman sitting in on that one as well.

That leaves four instrumental numbers, each of which is trim and engaging:

Earle H. Hagen

composer / conductor
1919 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Earle H. Hagen's venerable "Harlem Nocturne," bassist (and Swingadelic founder)

Dave Post

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Dave Post's loping "El Blues Esa Mujer," Riedel and Post's robust "Riffin' on McGriff'n" and

Duke Ellington

piano
1899 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Duke Ellington's heavy-hearted "The Mooche." As for solos, there are effective statements along the way by trumpeters

Bryan Davis

piano
b.1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Bryan Davis and

Carlos Francis

trumpet

" data-original-title="" title="">Carlos Francis, alto

Audrey Welber

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Audrey Welber,

Ken Robinson

woodwinds

" data-original-title="" title="">Ken Robinson (alto on "Fool's Paradise," clarinet on "The Mooche"), tenors

Bill Easley

saxophone
b.1946

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill Easley and

Michael Weisberger

" data-original-title="" title="">Michael Weisberger, guitarists Riedel,

Boo Reiners

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Boo Reiners and

Joe Taino

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Joe Taino, Bauers (piano), baritone

John DiSanto

saxophone, baritone

" data-original-title="" title="">John DiSanto,trombonist

Alex Jeun

trombone

" data-original-title="" title="">Alex Jeun and organist

Kyle Koehler

organ, Hammond B3

" data-original-title="" title="">Kyle Koehler.

While the music on Bluesville is unabashedly retro, much of it is seldom-heard in 2020, which lends the performance an unexpected freshness and charm. As for Swingadelic, it has been around long enough to become rather proficient at doing what it does best. A bright, solid scrapbook of swing.

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Track Listing

The Late Late Show; I Love the Life I Live; Harlem Nocturne; Mary Ann; What��s Your Story, Morning Glory; Parchman Farm; Lonely Avenue; El Blues Esa Mujer; I Don��t Know; Riff��n on McGriff��n; Fool��s Paradise; TheMooche; You��re Humbuggin�� Me; The Late Late Show.

Personnel

Bryan Davis

piano

John Martin

trumpet

Carlos Francis

trumpet

Ken Robinson

woodwinds

Audrey Welber

woodwinds

Mike Weisberger

saxophone, tenor

Bill Easley

saxophone

John DiSanto

saxophone, baritone

Robert Edwards

trombone

Neal Pawley

trombone

Alex Jeun

trombone

John Bauers

piano and vocals

Mitch Woods

piano

Kyle Koehler

organ, Hammond B3

Andy Riedel

guitar

Boo Reiners

guitar

Joe Taino

guitar

Dave Post

bass

Colby Inzer

drums

Jimmy Coleman

drums

Additional Instrumentation

Bryan Davis: trumpet (2, 5-7, 9-12, 14); John Martin: trumpet (2, 5-7, 9-12, 14); Carlos Francis: trumpet (1, 9, 12); Ken Robinson: alto sax (7, 10, 11), clarinet (12), flute (8); Audrey Welber: alto sax (2-5, 9, 14); Mike Weisberger: tenor sax (1, 3-5, 7, 9-12, 14); Bill Easley: tenor sax (2, 7, 10, 13); John DiSanto: baritone sax (1-5, 7, 9-14), piccolo (8); Robert Edwards: trombone (2-5, 7-12, 14); Neal Pawley: trombone (1-4, 7-13) vocal (1); Alex Jeun: trombone (4, 8, 11, 12); John Bauers: piano (2-5, 7-9, 11, 12, 14), vocals (2, 4, 7, 11); Mitch Woods: piano, vocal (6); Kyle Koehler: organ (1, 7, 10, 13); Andy Reidel: guitar (1, 6, 7, 9, 10, 13), vocal (13); Boo Reiners: guitar (3, 11, 12); Joe Taino: guitar (4, 8); Dave Post: bass; Colby Inzer: drums (1-5, 7-14); Jimmy Coleman: drums (6).

Album information

Title: Bluesville | Year Released: 2020 | Record Label: Zoho Music

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