1 Sleep
2 Forget-Me-Nots
3 Home
4 It Stops with Me
5 Secret of Mine
6 Paradise with You
7 Fuli Tschai ("Bad Girl")
8 You Took Advantage of Me
9 Before You
10 Cherokee Shuffle
11 Chip Away the Stone
12 Pray for the Lights to Go Out

From Amazon.com

Wonderful music

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: I have seen this band several times and
always enjoy the music. This CD is well
worth having.

Not Deep but Fun

 Album Rating: (3 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: I have to admit that I bought this solely for "Cherokee Shuffle", which is probably my favorite fiddle tune; the only thing wrong with their version of it on here is that it's too short. The rest of the CD is musically very good, especially the two violin instrumentals, and remarkably in keeping with swing style even though many of the songs are recently-composed. The songs themselves are not necessarily the most interesting, although they are well-performed.

lacks the zip of 'tall tales"

 Album Rating: (3 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: Everything about "Hot Club of Cowtown" is implied in the band's name. Their music is a combination of Django Reinhardt's string jazz and Bob Wills' western swing. Other bands have been down this street before, such as Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks or Martin, Bogan and Armstrong, and the "neo-swing" groups that sprung up during the 90's.

In contrast to the previous "Tall Tales" which emphasized western swing, this cd tilts toward the jazzy side, and it seems a little lackadaisical. Whit Smith and Elana Fremerman both have voices that are kind of homespun in their appeal. When Fremerman attempts subtle jazz phrasings, she isn't on the level of somebody like Diana Krall. On a waltz time tune like "Before You", or negotiating a halting melody like "Home", she isn't shown at her best.

On "Sleep", and particularly with"It Stops With Me", Whit's matter-of-fact voice works well with the film noir style lyrics. But most of the album seems to lack energy. I'd go with "Tall Tales". which has a lot more spring in the playing, and some nice horn work in spots, too. It has the jolt that "Ghost Train" needs and sorely lacks.

Best CD I heard in 2003

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: I saw this band in Chicago at the 2004 American Music Festival at Fitzgerald's (my favorite cultural event of the year). They blew me away with their charm, energy, and virtuosity. I picked up this CD on the spot, and immediately fell in love. Elana's vocals are sublime, and her fiddling ranges from sweet to incendiary; Whit's vocals are sly - my wife said it's the verbal equivalent of "bedroom eyes," and he's a wonderful guitarist; and Jake's bass playing is charismatic and a joy to watch in concert.

The originals here are every bit as good as the classic songs they do so well. In fact, I'd encourage them to write more!

A few months after buying this CD and listening to it many times, I had to drive a long way through bad rush-hour traffic to a wake. Normally, this would be a presciption to guarantee a foul mood. But when I popped this CD into my player... all was well in my world. It really has that kind of effect on me.

I now own all of their CDs available here - I just went to their website and see they have a few Japanese releases. I think this is their best, followed by Continental Stomp. And if they ever come to your town for a show, drop everything you're doing and make sure you get out to see them. You'll have a joyful time.

Ghost Train

 Album Rating: (5 of 5 stars)

Review Comments: The Hot Club of Cowtown is a wonderful new group. This is their best CD, although all of them are great. They are innovative, but have respect for some of the more standard tunes. They obviously love the music they play. I have seen them twice and they are a joy to watch, lively, energetic, yet laid back. If you can't spend an evening with them, Ghost Train is the next best thing!