Indigo Swing
Red Light!
Time Bomb Records

A year and a half ago - maybe two - you could count the number of popular swing bands on one hand. Now, we've added a specific section in the ol' music store for various artist swing collections alone. Artists such as The Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and (my personal favorite) The Brian Setzer Orchestra are less the exception than the rule.

Joining these fellows is Indigo Swing. They've got a great (to borrow from the Cherry Poppin' Daddies) "shake your lovemaker" sound, but compared to the bands named above, their sound seems rather hollow. Mostly bass/sax/piano/percussion, things come together well, but they just don't grab me like the others.

The vocals, too, are a notch below Brian Setzer, et al. Johnny Boyd on lead vocals is no slouch; neither is he terribly impressive. The exceptional point on this collection is its prominent piano. I have to admit that it is impressive. Honky-tonk on one song, barely-there background on the next - the quality is consistent.

I like the lyrics on "Big Hair Mama:"

"It's your big hair mama
I got to get away from you
I know it's silly, baby
your wig is giving me the blues."

As long as these boys are having fun, so are we. "So Far Away From Me" is their stab at a ballad, and they should just leave the serious stuff alone. This isn't the best I've heard, but it sure doesn't suck, either. If you dig swing - and piano - give this a try.
-KR

Do you agree or disagree with our review? E-mail us and we'll post your thoughts.