10/13/23 Dans Les Rues D’Antibes
Baby Soda Jazz Band pulled this one me. It’s a certified banger. Sidney Bechet, man. Turns out he really knew what he was doing! Great multi-strain trad romp. Gives you everything that you need. Major stuff. Minor stuff. Sequences. “Dogfighty” stuff. A masterpiece. Rating: *****
10/5/23 Alexander’s Ragtime Band
This is a song I learned a while ago because people play it. Irving Berlin. 1911. Prepare to hate me but I’m not that into it. I’m not intrigued by the harmony. The melody is grating and has these annoying quotes embedded in it (bugle call, “Swanee River”). The lyrics are whatever. But, you know, it tells a clear story and is definitely recognizable. Rating: **