Featured Artist: Hot Club Quartette

CD Title: Hot Club Quartette

Year: 2002

Record Label: Stringtone Productions

Style: Traditional Jazz

Musicians: Billy Steele - Guitar; Benny Brydern - Violin; Dave Jones - Bass; Tom Marion; Guitar, Mandolin, Banjon; Special Guests

Review: The Hot Club Quartette comprised of four musicians from the Los Angeles area, performing what they refer to as 30s swing music. The group covers many somewhat obscure songs from the era, and adds some original music. Producer, Songwriter, and guitar player Billy Steele appears to head up this cast of very talented musicians.

With a description like “30s swing” I was curious what to expect from a quartet. What I ended up hearing was what I would best describe as a mid-tempo New Orleans jazz group, with a bit of a Spanish influence. We have a group of stringed instruments, played with the type of feel you may find in the southern bayou with a Tijuana influence.

Many of the 14 tracks are based around acoustic guitar, bass, and violin. “Bouncin’ Around”, “I’ve Found A New Baby”, and “Ultra Fox” are all tunes that are well arranged using this instrumentation. Many have an almost Dixieland feel (without the clarinet and trumpet). The original tracks tend to feature the talents of Billy Steele; however this isn’t surprising considering he wrote the pieces. Especially appealing is his guitar piece “Novia”. On the quartet’s version of Irving Berlin’s “Russian Lullaby”, they have the only vocal on the entire disc. Janet Klein brings a very pristine vocal to the song. My only complaint is that it may be a bit too perfect. The quartet ends the CD with a nice arrangement of the Cole Porter tune “What Is This Thing Called Love?” Intro on the bass adds some groove, and the song then takes on the mid-tempo swing familiar with this disc. An interesting choice to end the disc, and it left me with an appreciation of the talents shown here.

This CD would be a welcome addition to anyone interested the small café swing music from the 30s era. The sparse instrumentation is handled well.

The Hot Club Quartette does a nice job of capturing the style they are seeking. This may not be for everyone, but I would not hesitate to put this disc on and enjoy a nice bottle of wine or a cappuccino. Nice job guys.

Tracks: Bouncin' Around; I've Found A New Baby; Si Tu Savais; Dreams; Billet Deux; I'll See You In My Dreams; Ballo Di Mezzanotte; Novia; Blue Drag; Shanghai Lil; Ultra Fox; Russian Lullaby; Margy; What Is This Thing Called Love?

Artist's Website: http://www.hotclubquartet.com

Reviewed by: Tim Hamm

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