Don’t Trust Any Band Under 30!
2003
FIGS LTD
SQ Issue: Winter 2003, Voume 14, Issue 1
The Band:
Jim
Field, the leader of the band, recognizes all the past and present members of the Mouldy
Figs as “the band”. There is a
group photo on the back of the CD cover listing the numerous current and former bandmates.
“Jim Field formed his first Dixieland-type band
in high school in suburban Chicago around 1960. He
was fortunate enough to meet and play for author and radio personality Studs Terkel, who
called the high-schoolers ‘mouldy figs,’ a slang term the Tommy Dorsey band used
for old jazz tunes and those who liked them. From
then on, Jim’s band was the Mouldy Figs.” – Liner notes
Hot jazz. Dixieland. Swing. You want it? They’ve got it. This band released this CD to commemorate 30 years of playing in Minnesota.
The Mouldy Figs did a great job capturing what they love to do. You’ll find lots of hot jazz tunes mixed in with several excellent swingin’ jazz gems featuring the golden voice of Miss Charmin Michelle. My blatant admiriation for Michelle’s singing makes this a keeper just to have the songs she sings: Please Don’t Talk About Me When I’m Gone, Pennies from Heaven and Deed I Do.
However, don’t think the rest of the CD is bad. This band knows how to swing and have fun. They have great hot jazz numbers in Panama Rag, Is It True What They Say About Dixie? and Darktown Strutters Ball. The latter has great musicianship that makes up for some suspect singing. There is also a great version of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.
There are some other songs that I found lacking but mostly for dance reasons. This CD is entertaining for dancers, listeners and all around jazz enthusiasts. They cover more than just swing but it remains entertaining from a listener’s viewpoint.
One slight disappointment is a technical one. It seems that there could have been a little better mixing of the vocals with the band, especially on the Charmin Michelle cuts. It isn’t bad but you can hear that it could have been better. However, Michelle’s singing amply makes up the difference.
Bottom Line: To buy or not to buy….. Buy! Here’s how: www.mouldyfigs.com