Howlin' Hobbit is well known within the ukulele community. He is part of the band, Snake Suspenderz. Hobbit sent me a copy of their new CD, Serpentine to review.
Here's the line-up:
If you are not totally hooked by the time you reach the end of "Say Hello To Mister Snake", you haven't been listening. What a great number to kick-off a new CD. This song takes me back in time to some gin-joint in Chicago or New Orleans.
"Fail", George of the Jungle, I was laughing before the end of the first verse. Feel like a schmedrick or loser, ah, just laugh at yourself and put some spring in your step. This song has a great vibe to it. Love the percussion.
"20th Century Fads" is a cute song. Again, love the trombone and jazz feel to the tune, but listen to the lyrics. I recognized them all. 20th Century Fads.
Even Your Best Friend... These guys hit my funny bone on every number. This song has scat- singing, sounds like Satchmo. "Naughty Monkey"... I never thought I"d hear a song about spanking your monkey. Listen carefully to this one. "Sausage" had me laughing and wondering about any sausage I have ever eaten. Followed by "Light Fingers Louie" the Speak-Easy attitude continues. What a cool jazzy number.
"Flower of Shanghai" continues the jazz of "Light Fingers Louie" in a Roaring Twenties sort of tune about a gal from Shanghai. That trombone just kicks.
"Misery Loves Company" had me laughing. I know people like that! Ah... Losers in Love.
"Don't Get Around Much Anymore" This tune has a great intro and I love the lyrics. Again, the trombone is sweet.
"I'm Gonna Get Me A Lawyer" reminds so much of ambulance-chasing lawyers that advertise around here. Love the blues harp on this song, too. Nice touch, Hobbit.
"Night Train Waltz" Leaving town on the night train. Again, great musicianship.
Teddy Bear's Picnic is an old song from what I understand. I never heard of it until I saw Howlin' Hobbit's video of it.
"Serpentine", once again, sounds like a gin-joint tune that really swings. What a great title song. This track pretty much represents the group and this entire collection of songs. I can hear this song in the background of a Mickey Spillane drama.
Happy Ending Waltz seems out of place. It is a departure from the rest of the collection and a nice change-up, actually.
"Don't Quit The Day Job (Yet). The perfect conclusion to a fabulous CD.
If you like jazz and swing, if you like the roaring twenties sort of vibe, this is a must buy. These guys are great! Buy it here.