Hot Club Of Cowtown - Wild Kingdom '2019

Tracks list

Within the first few bars of My Candy, the breezy and swinging opener to Wild
Kingdom, it becomes evident that the Hot Club of Cowtown havent lost a step. For
more than two decades the group has dazzled audiences across the globe with
their blend of tin pan alley standards and solid original tunes, all distilled
through a tight Western swing vibe. Since coming together in the mid-90s,
guitarist Whit Smith, violinist Elana James, and bassist Jake Erwin have dished
out a fiery blend of country and jazz, and their latest only reenforces how
skilled and tight the trio stands today.

While it sounds like a classic from days past, My Candy is an original from
James brimming with charm and wit. Its not a pastiche song of retro
callbacks–its a rollicking, lovable tune from start to finish. By
contrast, Last Call is a sentimental waltz featuring soulful vocal
harmonizations from Smith and James. A rumination on mortality masked as a
drinking song; it has enough heart to bring a tear to even the most cynical
eyes. The hilarious soon-to-be crowd favorite Near Mrs. is an easygoing tale of
failed romances, wine drinking cowboys, and a lovely nod to Buck Owens.

While their sounds harken back to the Western swing of Bob Willis, no one could
ever accuse Hot Club of Cowtown of lacking originality. They dont write songs
like the playful Caveman or cover Les Paul/Mary Ford classics from a place of
detached irony. The band plays with sincerity and love of their forefathers (and
a knowing wink to the novelty of radio classics from the days of yore). The
vocal harmonies throughout Three Little Words arent a coy trick of false
honesty; they are a ray of sunshine that emanates pure joy.

The original number Easy Money is an ideal song for a jukebox in a roadside dive
bar, while the Scottish classic Loch Lomond becomes a fun vehicle for trading
solos. Covering a storied classic like How High the Moon is a risky proposition
for a group that so clearly loves the warm guitars and solo breaks of 1950s
jazz. Hot Club offer their fantastic take on the standard, singing the verse at
a slow tempo before doubling the tempo and trading burning solos. It pairs so
well with Rodeo Blues, an easygoing gem that sounds like a long-lost classic
track Patsy Cline never got around to recording.

Wild Kingdom is loaded with character and charm, a testament to the energy and
nuance Hot Club still have to offer so long into their career. It might not
break any new ground, but their 11th album demonstrates just how much fun this
well-seasoned trio can still have. The summer months may be over, but Wild
Kingdom packs enough charm and joy to warm things up just a bit longer.

Tracklist:
01. Hot Club Of Cowtown - My Candy (4:08)
02. Hot Club Of Cowtown - Last Call (4:47)
03. Hot Club Of Cowtown - Caveman (3:29)
04. Hot Club Of Cowtown - Near Mrs. (4:41)
05. Hot Club Of Cowtown - Three Little Words (3:13)
06. Hot Club Of Cowtown - Billy the Kid (4:20)
07. Hot Club Of Cowtown - Tall Tall Ship (3:21)
08. Hot Club Of Cowtown - Rodeo Blues (3:47)
09. Hot Club Of Cowtown - Ways of Escape (4:24)
10. Hot Club Of Cowtown - Loch Lomond (2:50)
11. Hot Club Of Cowtown - High Upon the Mountain (4:01)
12. Hot Club Of Cowtown - Easy Money (4:15)
13. Hot Club Of Cowtown - Before the Time of Men (5:05)
14. Hot Club Of Cowtown - How High the Moon (4:33)

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