Come Blow a Guage with The Jitterbug Vipers
The Jitterbug Vipers
Phoebe’s Dream
Independent Release, 2013
The Jitterbug Vipers are a contemporary Austin, Texas, solution for the age old question, “Where is the new hot club jazz ‘round here?”
The Jitterbug Vipers perform speakeasy quality, bootleg style, throwback Hot Club Jazz with precious few concessions to the 21st Century. The audio quality is thankfully one of them. With bright, crisp virtuoso guitar work courtesy of one white haired gent, Slim Richey and sly-in-on-the-joke, vocal stylings of Sarah Sharp, the music is by turns spritely and laconic. The bass and drums are propulsive and sweetly subtle by turns.
There’s a sleepy sexy quality to the delivery that feels heavy lidded, but nowhere close to tired. The Jitterbug Vipers take their jazz seriously and keep the focus on maintaining a sensuous, exotic groove. “Undecided,” “When Your High,” and “Viper Moon,” are all the sort of songs to make you want to dance with the lights down low, with one eye on the lookout, ready to run if you must.
JV also displays a sharp with brassy, fun assertions like “Stuff it,” and the future classic, “That was Just the Sauce Talkin’.”
It would be easy to add too much to this. To write songs about modern problems with old-timey sounds, but The Jitterbug Vipers forgo such foolishness and play it cool. Stick to doing this hot club Jazz really well and true to form. This commitment to style should be noted and appreciated.
These songs flit by as softly and gently as a cool morning breeze marking the end of a long hot summer. Catching you off guard and welcoming all at once.
http://www.jitterbugvipers.com/
