Preserves, Vol. 1

January 30, 2010

Preserves, Vol. 1

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Paddle Wheelin’ Along

January 30, 2010

Paddle Wheelin' Along
On first glance this looks like it would be a rewarding set. The Stomp Off label is known for its consistently high-quality trad dates. The Down Home Jazz Band is obviously based on the styles of Lu Watters the Yerba Buena Jazz Band and Turk Murphy, with its lineup including trumpeter Chris Tyle and cornetist Bob Schultz (both of whom are excellent players) plus a rhythm section with drummer Hal Smith. The repertoire has many intriguing and obscure songs and, even though nine of the 22 songs are weighed down by vocals from the musicians that are adequate at best (many are not so hot, making one wonder why they could not find a good singer), the music is generally rewarding except for one major flaw. Unfortunately, clarinetist Bob Helm, who was formerly a member of both the Watters and Murphy bands, was way past his prime at this point and he seems to find it impossible to stay even close to in-tune, particularly in his upper register. Quite a few of the songs are made unlistenable in stretches due to Helm’s erratic intonation, which contrasts greatly with the other players’ solid musicianship. It makes one wonder why this set was released, much less recorded in the first place; didn’t anyone listen closely to how it sounded?