Jazz & Blues Lounge

A while back I wrote about a jazz group that had written me after finding the website.  They are a group that calls themselves “The Sad Salamanders.”  While their promotional stuff sounded great, that’s what promotional stuff is supposed to sound like.  One of their members, Scooter Pietsch, said he would be glad to send me a copy of their album, “Cigarettes and Fishnets.”

Well, the CD finally arrived and I have listened to it.  Folks, you need to get yourself a copy of “Cigarettes and Fishnets.”  Check them out at www.myspace.com/sadsalamander.  You can also check out www.scootermusic.com.

The CD cover is great.  It’s a very sexy, leggy woman in fishnets and holding a cigarette and it was drawn by an artist for Playboy named Dean Yeagle.  It’s the kind of drawing that made you wish albums still came out on vinyl so you could hang it on your wall.

Then the music starts.  The group is made up of Ed Martel and Scooter Pietsch on keyboards, Don Markese on sax, flute and wind FX, Frank Marocco on accordion (yes accordion), Nick Brown on guitars and ukulele, Steve Crum on trumpet, Nick Lane on trombone, Rich Latham and MD Gordy on drums, MB Gordy and Scooter again on percussion.

The first track, “My Parents Are Swingers” will just about blow your windows open.  It’s a kind of dirty, raw jazz that will leave your head bobbing and your fingers snapping.  No sooner does this one end and your ears get blown away by “Dirty Martini Time.”  This is the kind of music that they listened to in the 50s and at parties hosted by Hugh Heffner in the Playboy mansion.

In fact, the entire album harkens back to a different time.  There is no smooth jazz, doctor’s office music on this album.  Although the album does slow down a bit, it still manages to be fast, and hold your attention.

The musicians are excellent.  The horns are tight and loud, which is alway good for a horn ensemble.  The guitars are awesome and then the accordion…  Well, you may never look at an accordion the same way again after this one.

I know one thing, if there is ever a movie made from one of the books I write, the Sad Salamanders are the guys I want to call to do the soundtrack.  This is awesome music and I am very glad they sent it to me.  Now, I strongly encourage you not only to buy the CD, but to try and see them live.

Hey, the CD comes with a temporary tattoo.  Yes, it’s a salamander.  Yes…that is VERY cool.

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