Dixieland Hootnanny

AMG Review of Dixieland Hootnanny

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

This is a most unusual record. Since 1962 was near the height of the folk music fad, the Dukes of Dixieland are heard performing 12 traditional folk songs, including such unlikely material as "My Darling Nellie Gray," "House of the Rising Sun," "Black Is the Color of My True Love's Hair" and "Wreck of the Old '97." Oddly enough, the titles were slightly altered, but the melodies are quite familiar. As usual, trumpeter Frank Assunto is the star, although guest clarinetist Edmond Hall sits in on a few of the numbers, and guitarist Herb Ellis is in the rhythm section.