NEW ORLEANS JAZZ VIPERS: Live on Frenchmen Street

New Orleans Jazz Vipers

Live on Frenchmen Street

© 2004 New Orleans Jazz Vipers

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The second New Orleans Jazz Vipers CD was recorded live and swinging at the Spotted Cat on Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, and is the winner of New Orleans' Best of the Beat award for "Best Traditional Jazz Album."

notes

"Look, ma-no drums! The New Orleans Jazz Vipers, on their second, recorded-live-at-the-Spotted-Cat CD, prove that you can swing and pulsate like crazy without percussion, a deviation from the New Orleans norm that is utterly divine. It works because guitarist John Rodli and bassist Robert Snow are such adept players that your ears are almost tricked into believing they're hearing percussion instruments. For supposed Vipers (i.e., mellow devotees of cannabis), this band is exceedingly intense and frenetic. No wonder that contemporary punks intent on re-living the Sid Vicious Years have fallen in love with an acoustic band that plays standards their great-grandparents once danced to.

Besides Rodli (who also contributes approximately half of the vocals) and Snow, the Vipers feature alto saxophonist/vocalist Joe Braun, trumpeter/occasional vocalist Charlie Fardella, bass saxophonist/occasional vocalist Tom Saunders and Neti Vann on fiddle. Braun and Rodli both have wonderful, warm voices and the accompaniment is perfect: it sounds like you've just disembarked from your tramp steamer, circa 1933, and encountered the coolest jazz band in New Orleans, before Dixieland reared its ugly, strident cliché-filled head. Above all else, these are cool musicians, fully cognizant that less is more and that jazz...is dance music.

A peek at the program - "Exactly Like You," "You Can Depend On Me," "Dinah," "A Ghost of a Chance," "St. Louis Blues," "Home," "Them There Eyes," "I Wish I Were Twins," "Crazy Rhythm," "Lonesome Me," "Did You Mean It" and the bonus track "If You're A Viper" featuring the sandpapered vocals of John Sinclair - reveals material that most jazz fans know like the backs of their sweaty hands. Like my beautiful wife said, the first time she heard this, "It sounds like the ball!" And indeed it does sound like the music heard at traditional New Orleans Carnival balls-intoxicating music played for intoxicated dancers. In particular, Braun's alto and Saunders' bass saxophone lend the appropriately sleazy vibe and guest star Jack Fine's cornet solo on "Home" induces shivers as he blows a Milky Way of celestial notes.

The recording, with its whiff of crowd murmurs, is spectacular. A better Mardi Gras album (not that Mardi Gras is literally mentioned anywhere) has never been made, and that includes anything Metric or Longhaired. I mean it!"
--- Bunny Mathews, Offbeat, new Orleans

New Orleans Jazz Vipers were the winner of Offbeat Magazine's "Best of the Beat" 2004 award for "Best Traditional Jazz Album" (for the album "Live on Frenchmen Street"). In 2001 and 2003 they won the "Best of the Beat" award for "Best Emerging Traditional Jazz Band." The band was voted one of the top three jazz bands in the 2004 reader's poll in Where Y'at Magazine.

reviews

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  • Just Like Being There!
    author: Thomas Smith

    My wife and I took our 1st trip to New Orleans last summer. Per the recommendation of a New Orleans native co-worker, we went to The Spotted Cat to check out some real New Orleans jazz. The Jazz Vipers happened to be playing that night, and were fantastic. Listening to this at home with my eyes closed easily takes me back to that night. WELL DONE! :o)

  • Just Like Being There!
    author: Thomas Smith

    My wife and I took our 1st trip to New Orleans last summer. Per the recommendation of a New Orleans native co-worker, we went to The Spotted Cat to check out some real New Orleans jazz. The Jazz Vipers happened to be playing that night, and were fantastic. Listening to this at home with my eyes closed easily takes me back to that night. WELL DONE! :o)

  • True spirit of New Orleans...upbeat...jazzy!
    author: Donna

    Truly enjoyed this sampling of the Vipers. Have two other of their CD's...all are incredible. They truly inspire the spirit and feel of New Orleans jazz. Had the divine pleasure of seeing them perform at the Spotted Cat...this CD brings me back to that smokey, sultry night. Pleasant, spirited listening for all to taste!

  • Great traditional NO Jazz. Love the music and spirit!
    author: Jaffey Ryder
  • great traditional jazz
    author: soteralu

    I was lucky enough to catch this act at the Spotted Cat in NO several years ago. This cd captures the spirit and sound of their performance beautifully.

  • author: Denille

    This is the only jazz CD you need. Energetic, hypnotic, fabulous and full of life.

  • Awesome Energy
    author: Christine

    I really enjoyed stumbling upon Jazz Vipers and their music. They are vibrant, full of energy and life. I loved the strong vocals and the group dynamics from the CD. I ordered a few more CDs to pass on to my friends. I hope Jazz Vipers have a chance to play live at LA sometime.

  • The Vipers: The Spirit of New Orleans
    author: Brandon Morgan

    The music of "Live on Frenchmen Street" is fantastic. Not only are the vocals and instrumentals of great quality and character; the energy of the tracks take you right back to the Spotted Cat, where you, like me, most likely stumbled upon the Vipers: "The Spirit of New Orleans".

  • author: ted fry-tgrfy@sympatico.ca

    I just found about this web and finally found out how to plug in.I really enjoyed your sound, your selections and your feel for the music.We have the Figleaf Jazz Band here north of Toronto, Canada, and play a lot of the same tunes.It feels good that there are those of us who are keeping this music alive.Keep up the great sounds.Ted Fry.

  • author: ted fry-tgrfy@sympatico.ca

    I just found about this web and finally found out how to plug in.I really enjoyed your sound, your selections and your feel for the music.We have the Figleaf Jazz Band here north of Toronto, Canada, and play a lot of the same tunes.It feels good that there are those of us who are keeping this music alive.Keep up the great sounds.Ted Fry.

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