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:: OCTOBOURE ::

Honore McDonough Ervin
Author, Things You Need to be Told & More Things You Need to Be Told
Springfield, Mass., USA
www.myspace.com/etiquettegrrlhonore

Wolfgang Parker’s second album is every bit as much as a treat as his first, if not more of one. Forget sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll; sex, booze, and swing is where it’s at. This ain’t no squeaky-clean “Khakis Swing” ad. No, it’s full-on, suede platform slingbacks, cherry-red lipstick, curve-a-licious, gin-soaked, hardcore rocking swing, not for the faint of heart.

The overall tone is somewhat more developed than Hep City Swing. Parker’s vocals are rich, more akin to Harry Connick, Jr than to Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Scotty Morris’ trademark whine, or Cherry Poppin’ Daddies’ Steve Perry’s vaguely flat tones. The overall result is far more pleasing. The band is smooth, yet rollicking with up-tempo catchy tunes, and several solid ballads. In the lyrics, zoot suits, and the slightly seedy side of 1940s Los Angeles are evoked, not unpleasantly, despite the sometimes somewhat violent lyrics. It rather makes one want to pick up a copy of Confidential, and drag race on Mulholland, with the expectation of Sam Spade and The Black Dahlia popping up at any moment.

I first listened to the album in the wee small hours one night, and suddenly, there it was. Track nine. I sat bolt upright. I checked the title of the track…”Among the Ash Heaps (and Millionaires)”. Could it be? It WAS! A song paying homage to The Great Gatsby and the wonderful, mystical, tragic, lyrical F. Scott Fitzgerald! What an utterly unexpected delight! It’s not often one stumbles across great American literature on, well, any album, regardless of its genre. Once again, Parker has shown his love and respect of the era from which the original swing and jazz evolved, all while being completely original. So many musicians seem to think that they and their music exist in a bubble, and they’re superior to those who came before them, it’s refreshing to hear a young musician pay homage to the past, yet still putting his own spin on it.

The Talented Mr. Parker deserves a place on your cd rack, next to the other great recent swing bands – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Royal Crown Revue, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Brian Setzer…yes, he’s that good.

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Alice Brakensiek
Swinger Hill, Australia
www.myspace.com/skignet

I first came across Wolfgang Parker purely by chance on myspace and havent looked back since. Listening to his songs online was not enough, owning a little piece of this self described Punk Swing was a must.

The parcel arrived and with great excitement and anticipation, I set aside time to sit back and give this gem a proper introduction. From the outset I was transported back to the smoke-hazed, sexually charged atmosphere of a 1930s swing bar, crowded with jiving pinstriped hepcats and red lipsticked dolls drinking vodka-tonics.

The music is faultless; strong, confident vocals by the man himself complimented with heady guitar and watertight percussion make this music every bit as pleasurable on a technical level as the lyrics are carnally. With influences as far-flung as Royal Crown Revue, Rancid and Little Richard, the sound is better for the diversity.

Each track has a unique feel that contributes to the album as a snapshot of swing as both a lifestyle and a genre. Paying respect to the era with unflinching rawness, its lyrics hot, heavy and imbued with the violence and desperation of those times.

Stand out tracks for me personally would have to be the killer opening number "To Say You Love Me" which sets the seedy scene with cool, flawless style. "Shiseido (The Fall)" is down and dirty, and of course the single "Room Nineteen" is pure gold; the soiled and sorry tale of violent liaisons and broken dreams.

I am delighted to have met Mr. Parker, and to count him among my most favourite cats.

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