Mardi Gras Time

AMG Review of Mardi Gras Time

Scott Yanow
All Music Guide

Although dressed up like clowns on the album jacket, the Dukes of Dixieland did not joke around during their spirited renditions of a dozen songs on this LP that can loosely be connected to New Orleans, brass bands and Mardi Gras. Five of the numbers have either "New Orleans" or "Louisiana" in their titles. The Dukes made many recordings during the 1957-58 period, mostly with the same lineup of musicians (trumpeter Frank Assunto, trombonist Fred Assunto, trombonist/banjoist Jac Assunto, clarinetist Jack Maheu, pianist Stanley Mendelson, Bill Porter on tuba and bass, and drummer Tommy Rundell). In addition to a variety of Dixieland standards (such as "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans," "Panama" and "Loveless Love"), the Dukes also play a few lesser-known numbers ("Louis-i-an-i-a," "At the Mardi Gras," "King Zulu Parade" and "If I Ever Cease to Love"). A fine Dixieland set.