Up a Lazy River (album)

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Up a Lazy River
Studio album by
Leon Redbone
Released1992
LabelAugust/Private Music
ProducerBeryl Handler, Leon Redbone
Leon Redbone chronology
Live!
(1991) 		Up a Lazy River
(1992) 		Whistling in the Wind
(1994)

Up a Lazy River is an album by the American musician Leon Redbone, released in 1992.[1][2] Redbone supported the album with a North American tour.[3] The first single, "Play Gypsy Play", was a minor radio hit in France.[4] "Bittersweet Waltz" first appeared on an episode of the television show Life Goes On.[5]

Production[edit]

The album was produced by Beryl Handler and Redbone.[6] Redbone wrote three of its songs.[7] Dr. John played keyboards on "When Dixie Stars Are Playing Peek-a-Boo" and other tracks.[8][9] Cindy Cashdollar played dobro on the album; Alfredo Pedernera contributed on bandoneon.[10][11] "Gotta Shake That Thing" is a cover of the Papa Charlie Jackson song.[10] "You're a Heartbreaker" is a version of the song made famous by Elvis Presley.[12] "At the Chocolate Bon Bon Ball", a ragtime tune, was performed as a tango.[13]

Critical reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[10]
The Buffalo News[7]
The Indianapolis Star[14]
MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide[15]

The Indianapolis Star determined that "the Hoagy Carmichael title track is irresistibly crooned by Redbone in his best boo-boo-boo-boo fashion as almost a lullaby."[14] The Chicago Tribune called the album "another relaxed float down an old-time stream, the banks lined with happy musicians strumming old-timey blues, Tin Pan Alley and ragtime tunes."[16] Stereo Review wrote that "Redbone's shtick of old-timey jazz, blues, and vaudeville wore thin a long time ago ... the sidemen, especially cornetist Scott Black and bass-sax player Vince Giordano, do their best to dress things up for public consumption."[17]

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted that "the music of a bygone era begins to sound fresh as the songs validate themselves endlessly with timeless melodies, thoughtful lyrics and Redbone's terrific guitar playing."[18] The Santa Cruz Sentinel said that "Redbone always wisely centers his arrangements around his own drawling baritone and unerring guitar work."[19] The Asbury Park Press concluded that Redbone "has stuck it out admirably, and proven to be a keeper of the ragtime flame, not a mere '20s and '30s poseur."[20]

AllMusic wrote: "Sporting an unmistakable and remarkably limber baritone, Redbone continues his fusion of Americana with some distinct and flavorful overtones that would not sound out of place in the Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli-led Quintet of the Hot Club of France."[10]

Track listing[edit]

No.TitleLength
1."Play Gypsy Play" 
2."At the Chocolate Bon Bon Ball" 
3."Lazy River" 
4."When Dixie Stars Are Playing Peek-a-Boo" 
5."Mr. Jelly Roll Baker" 
6."Gotta Shake That Thing" 
7."You're a Heartbreaker" 
8."Bittersweet Waltz" 
9."Goodbye Charlie Blues" 
10."That Old Familiar Blues" 
11."A Dreamer's Holiday" 
12."I'm Going Home" 

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lannert, John (29 Mar 1992). "Redbone on the Rise". Sun Sentinel. p. 3D.
  2. ^ Sullivan, Elizabeth (9 June 1992). "Redbone devotes career to American music's soul". The Plain Dealer.
  3. ^ D'Agostino, John (25 Mar 1992). "Leon Redbone Leaves Many Dumbfounded". Los Angeles Times. p. F1.
  4. ^ Weller, Don (15 Mar 1992). "Redbone tunes a treat for eclectic appetites". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. p. E5.
  5. ^ "Leon Redbone to Perform Sunday at Louisville Tavern". Television Guide. Jackson County Banner. 25 Jun 1992. p. 4.
  6. ^ "Up a Lazy River by Leon Redbone". Billboard. Vol. 104, no. 10. Mar 7, 1992. p. 46.
  7. ^ a b Anderson, Dale (27 Mar 1992). "Pop". The Buffalo News. p. G35.
  8. ^ "Music". Part II. Newsday. 2 Mar 1992. p. 44.
  9. ^ Morse, Steve (20 Nov 1992). "Leon Redbone Speaks". Arts & Film. The Boston Globe. p. 44.
  10. ^ a b c d "Up a Lazy River Review by Lindsay Planer". AllMusic. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  11. ^ Faurest, Kristin (27 Jun 1992). "Music for Redbone comes wrapped in his own style". Scene. Courier Journal. p. 11.
  12. ^ Weatherford, Mike (28 May 1993). "Symphony and Redbone star in shows at Hills Park". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 1E.
  13. ^ Allan, Marc D. (30 June 1992). "Redbone questions quest for popular diversions". The Indianapolis Star. p. C1.
  14. ^ a b Hall, Steve (23 Mar 1992). "Leon Redbone Up a Lazy River". The Indianapolis Star. p. D2.
  15. ^ MusicHound Folk: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1998. p. 656.
  16. ^ Heim, Chris (15 May 1992). "Leon Redbone, Thursday at the Park West". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. M.
  17. ^ "Up a Lazy River by Leon Redbone". Stereo Review. Vol. 57, no. 7. Jul 1992. p. 70.
  18. ^ Surkamp, David (4 Oct 1992). "Redbone Makes Music of a Bygone Era Fresh". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. 2D.
  19. ^ Long, Tom (13 Mar 1992). "Leon Redbone loves that American music". Spotlight. Santa Cruz Sentinel. p. 8.
  20. ^ Coyne, Bob (15 Mar 1992). "New Recordings". Asbury Park Press. p. E4.
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