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The Delegates
Delegatin'
 Perhaps
it's unfair to let a single woman review the debut CD by New York's
homespun swingers The Delegates. After all, this is one of the
best looking bands on the circuit today, the veritable pin-up
boys of swing.
I
will admit to harboring an unrequited crush on lead singer and bassist
Jim Greene since first seeing him perform with The Flying Neutrinos
a couple of years back. And now that he has his own talented combo,
my admiration is that much greater.
But
appearances aside, Jim's full-bodied tenor is a solid foundation
upon which the band builds a fantastic first album. Neal Sugarman's
raucous sax riffs and baby-faced Jeff McSpadden's sharp trumpet
work are a delight to the ears, especially on "Travelin'
Tune" and the instrumental title track, "Delegatin'."
Guitarist Coleman Mellett (swoon...) has a chance to strut his
stuff on "Taking a Chance," "Be Careful If You
Can't Be Good," and "Tell Me What's The Reason."
And drummer Matthew Jorgensen plays a backbeat throughout that
is both subtle and strong. The 12 tracks--an even mix of originals
and covers--run the gamut from the peppy "Look Me In the
Eye" to the blues-inspired "Ain't You Got Me Where You
Want Me."
Most
of the album is composed of medium-tempo tunes ideal for smooth
swinging, including "One Last Look," "Till My Baby
Comes Back To Me," and "You Ain't No Good." Meanwhile,
"If You Were Mine" will have you slow dancing with your
honey like two kids on prom night. This disk is a delight, and
these five cats look and sound just scrumptious."
-
Leslie Rosenberg
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