Billed as a carnival of song to celebrate
Dardanelle's Mississippi roots,
Down Home is a reissue of a 1985 album with five tracks added. Born Dardanelle Mullen, this chanteuse had been hawking her singing wares for more than 40 years when this album was made. And this session reveals she hasn't missed a beat during all this time. Backed by the very good Audiophile house pianist, Loonis McGlohon, she strolls through a program of 16 tunes, all of which relate to something or someone Southern. In the effort to recognize as many parts of the South as possible, some fairly marginal tunes made the cut. Notwithstanding, there is enough good material present to make this an entertaining album. "Geogia on My Mind," "New Orleans," and "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?" are among the more familiar tunes
Dardanelle delivers in her patented relaxed style. The up-tempo tunes, like "Down to Steamboat, Tennessee," are delivered with breezy ease. Along the way, she recognizes another singer with an elegant manner similar to hers,
Blossom Dearie, by singing Dearie's poignant "Winchester in Apple Blossom Time." In addition to McGlohon,
Dardanelle is backed by the steady Bill Stowe on drums with Ron Brendle and Terry Peoples sharing bass duties and they consistently stay on the same page when it comes to keeping time.
Dardanelle also joins in playing a mean set of vibes. While no threat to
Terry Gibbs,
Milt Jackson, or
Lionel Hampton, she acquits herself very well and her playing adds significantly to the attractiveness of this album. Singing in almost a casual tone,
Dardanelle has added an impressive album to the Cabaret discography to be enjoyed by lovers of that singing style. ~ Dave Nathan