When you put musicians of the quality of Fats Kaplin, Steve Dawson, Richard Bennett, Dave Jacques, Andy Reiss, and Jim Hoke, into a studio together, then one thing is certain – magic sparks are going to fly. This new project is the brainchild of Steve Dawson and is inspired to be an acoustic pre-war Hawaiian band, with twelve songs that are spiced with arresting, charming, melodic wizardry. This album is a real treat.
The influence of Django Reinhardt is very much evident in the guitar interplay across these musicians who recorded live off the floor, and featuring Steve Dawson (National tricone lap steel and Weissenborn), Fats Kaplin (ukulele and fiddle), Richard Bennett (ukulele), Dave Jacques (upright bass), Andy Reiss (archtop guitar), with Jim Hoke (clarinet and horns).
Swingin’ In A Hammock is a pure joy, with Fats Kaplin of superb violin, the ukulele strum, and gentle horns laying down a light jazzy rhythm, topped off by some wonderful touches from Steve Dawson on Weissenborn guitar. Ensemble playing doesn’t get much better than this. Hawaiian Capers could take its place at any country hoedown and bring the dancers onto the floor from all corners; addictive swing and jive. With Steve Dawson and Andy Reiss trading guitar runs, the inventive fiddle of Fats Kaplin, together with Dave Jacques keeping everybody grounded to the rhythm, it’s such a heady cocktail. You can just see a 1920s Speakeasy, with everybody grooving to the addictive beat, the flights of solo instrumentation, the sheer unbridled pleasure of the moment.
There is not one filler on this collection, each of the twelve tracks is infused with great moments and highlights to keep you coming back for more. The jazz swing on Fascinatin’ Rhythm has some terrific clarinet moments from Jim Hoke, while Kulaniapia Waltz, an original composition from Steve, already sounds like an old standard, the slow rhythm settling nicely into the memory banks.
Honolulu How Do You Do is a foot-tapping, hip-swinging, jazz treat, with ukulele rhythm complimenting the steady playing of David Jacques on bass, while clarinet jousts with lap steel and archtop guitar. Full marks to the production quality throughout and in keeping with the spirit of the times the recording was completed in Mono and using old ribbon microphones. Steve Dawson handled all production at his Hen House recording studio in Nashville and the results are so impressive. An album that will stand as a great testament to the spirit of string-band creativity and Hawaiian swing.
Paul McGee