The music on this CD, which was recorded over a two-year period, was completed just before Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans. It was released in early 2006 partly as a way to generate interest in tourists returning to New Orleans for Mardi Gras, so it has very good intentions. Musically it is different than one might expect. The personnel for
the Dukes of Dixieland had changed a lot in recent times, and these selections are mostly dominated by the R&B-ish vocals of Luther Kent. The core sextet is often augmented by up to four guests and the music is not particularly freewheeling or even all that jazz-oriented. There are some hot moments and a few instrumentals such as "Bourbon Street Parade" and "Second Line," but Dixieland fans and those who enjoyed the earlier versions of
the Dukes may not be all that satisfied with the fairly commercial if well-intentioned music. ~ Scott Yanow