[Dixielandjazz] "If Dreams Come True"

[Stephen G Barbone]

I recently acquired a GREAT new CD, just released by New Orleans  
clarinetist Tim Laughlin. Can't stop listening to it. The title; "If  
Dreams Come True" is aptly descriptive. It features the superb trumpet  
of Connie Jones who Tim planned to record, but wanted Connie to play  
with a rhythm section of his choice. So when Connie named pianist Dan  
Sheridan, bassist Ed Wise, Guitarist Larry Scala and drummer Danny  
Coots as his dream rhythm section, Tim arranged this recording session  
with them, Connie on trumpet, and himself on clarinet.

Tim is one of my favorite jazz clarinetists, and in my opinion, the  
music on this CD is SUPERB. Not overly arranged, plenty of solo room  
for these wonderful players and it swings its ass off. Tim is in fine  
form, beautiful tone, the essence of current New Orleans clarinet.  
Connie, who is featured on the album, is a one of a kind player and  
vocalist. John Sheridan? What can I add to what has already been said  
about his genius? Danny Coots is a drummer who listens and musically  
adds to the conversation. Larry Scala's guitar keeps the pulse going  
while adding his own words. Lastly, Ed Wise is one of the premier  
bassists in jazz, OKOM and other genres. He has been a friend of mine  
since he relocated to Philadelphia from New Orleans and is superb. He,  
along with his rhythm section mates, lays down a swinging groove that  
is hard to top these days.

The music is difficult to categorize. Is it New Orleans? Dixieland?  
Small Band Swing?  Who cares? What counts is that it is swinging OKOM,  
by a great band.

To top it off, the CD was exquisitely recorded by the professionals at  
The Music Shed in New Orleans in December 2010 and just released.  
There is a little bit of everything in the song choices. From Bechet  
to Grapelli and Django, to Walter Donaldson and more.

"If Dreams Come True" - Produced by Tim Laughlin - www.timlaughlin.com

1.  It's Been So Long - 4:44
2. If You Were The Only Girl In The World - 5:48
3. Wang Wang Blues - 6:46
4. It's Wonderful - 5:56
5. If Dreams Come True - 6:15
6. Tears - 5:04
7. New Orleans And A Rusty Old Horn (vocal) 5:23
8. My Buddy - 5:09
9. Tishomingo Blues - (vocal) 5:12
10. Si Tu Vois Ma Mere - 7:04
11. It's A Wonderful World -  (vocal) 5:54
12. The Best Thing For You Would Be Me - 6:30

If you are interested in what some of the current GIANTS of OKOM are  
doing, you won't be disappointed when you add this CD to your  
collection. To Order, visit Tim website at:  www.timlaughlin.com.  You  
can also hear songs from his other albums there.

Once there, check out his 10 minute DVD about how this recording  
session came about plus interviews with the band members about jazz  
and jazz musicians. It is a bargain at $10, wonderfully filmed and  
gives a bit of inside insight about professional  jazz musicians.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone
www.myspace.com/barbonestreetjazzband