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Hal’s Angels – And the Angels Swing
2004 Hal’s Angels
SQ Issue:    Spring 2005, Volume 15, Issue 2

 The Band:
Clarinet, Tenor Sax, Vocals:  Anita Thomas; Guitar, Vocals:  Katie Cavera; Piano, Vocals:  Carl Sonny Leyland; Bass:  Mike Earls; Drums, Leader:  Hal Smith

“Drummer Hal Smith has been described as leading the charge backwards into the American musical past, to re-create the great sounds of small band jazz of the ‘20s and ‘30s.  As leader of yet another band with a catchy-name, Hal’s Angels, he has expanded the time period of his play to include the ‘40s, also.  This quintet is quite versatile, with playlists that are leaning forward in time from other Hal Smith bands. --- -Harvey Barkan (via promotional material)

Wow!  What a FUN band!   This band has great energy, great musicianship, great arrangements and great sound!  Buy this CD!  To keep this from being my shortest review on record, I’ll flesh out some more to entice you to get this hot CD into your hands. 

Hal’s Angels picked some fantastic tunes that you may recognize but many you may not.  However, ALL are fun, fantastic arrangements.  A couple more recognizable tunes include Lester Leaps In, All Right Okay You Win, Corner Pocket, House of Blue Lights and Moten Swing.  More unrecognizable songs may include Ridin’ on the L&N, Truckin’, and Kansas City Southern.  Each of these songs has a smooth swinging sound that is sure to keep you on the dance floor, no matter the tempo. 

Speaking of tempos, they range from 79 beats per minute to 260!  Most fall between 140 and 170.   

Some of my favorite songs on the CD include Ridin’ on the L&N, Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee (both I’m assuming from the Lionel Hampton collection) and The Kid from Red Bank (a Basie tune and the fastest song on the CD at 260 bpm).  The latter has some fantastic piano licks.  Amazing actually. 

Songs rounding out the CD include Everybody Loves My Baby, Lulu’s Back in Town, Creole Love Call, Down the Road Apiece, Now Will You be Good? and I’m Beginning to See the Light. 

Should you buy this CD?  Absolutely!  It’s rare to find such a gem.