Mora's Modern Rhythmists - Call of the Freaks

Mr. Ace Records
SQ Issue:  Fall 2000 - Volume 10, Issue 4

Musicians:

Dean Mora, Pianist/Leader; Geoff Nudell, 1^st Alto Sax/Clarinet; Phil Krawzak, Tenor Sax/Clarinet; Matt Germaine, 2^nd Alto Sax/Clarinet; Corey Gemme, 1^st Cornet; Jim Ziegler, 2^nd Cornet/Vocals; Gerry Kuhn, Trombone; John Reynolds, Guitar; Laurence Wright, Drums; Art Gibson, Bass; Kayre Morrison, Vocals; Leonard Reed, Guest Vocalist.

The band’s philosophy:  With the numerous bands playing either modern jump-swing or 1940’s WWII songs, Mora’s Modern Rhythmists decided to devote themselves to playing tunes that date from the late 1920s up to only 1937 – a time when swing wasn’t known as Swing yet, and the music was still underground and just getting ready to burst upon mainstream America. – press release.

This is the 3rd CD from this band.   It has a lot of fun tunes that you’ve most likely never heard before.  Mora’s Modern Rhythmists (MMR) philosophy is a benefit to swing dancers and jazz lovers alike.  It exposes songs that likely haven’t been heard since our grandparents or great grandparents danced.

MMR is one solid band.  Every song shows their musical expertise and solid professionalism as well as their love of this music.

There are some sweet gems on here including Jazz Pie, A Viper’s Moan, Tar Paper Stomp, The Dipsey Doodle, and Annie’s Cousin Fannie.  These songs are all great tempos and allow for some very expressive dancing.  Tar Paper Stomp will definitely remind you of In the Mood by Glenn Miller.  It has some of the same chorus but is still a quite different song.

You will recognize some of the songs, including The Dipsey Doodle, Honeysuckle Rose and Cuban Pete.  Honeysuckle Rose has great piano work by Mora that is very reminiscent of Art Tatum.

One song that seems ill-fitted for this CD is I’m Good for Nothing but Love.  Although the music is solid and the vocals by Morrison are equally solid, it seems much better suited for a musical or broadway show.  The rest of the CD doesn’t have that flavor.

There are many really good songs on this CD.  One thing that I couldn’t believe was that as I was listening to the songs, I kept thinking about how each of them seem to really tell a story.  I felt like if I closed my eyes, I could be watching a silent movie and each song would tell another scene in it.  Unbelievably, I started researching for the review you are reading and I discover that Mora used to work as a silent movie musician!

With all the bands covering Miller, Goodman, and Shaw, it is a pleasant detour to hear great swing music from the lesser known but equally talented artists of the swing years.

The last song, It’s Over Because We’re Through, is a special treat because MMR invited Leonard Reed, dancer/singer extrodinaire, inventor of the Shim Sham Shimmy, to sing.  It is a super ending to a solid piece of work.