This Just In!! - The new Hayriders CD is now available. I could wax poetic about it, but instead I'll let someone else do the honors....

CHOICE CUTS by Cam Miller (May, 2008 AMERICAN RAG)

"Hal Smith, who has had almost as many bands as Artie Shaw had wives, has put aside his affinity for ragtime, trad and swing in favor of a rockabilly band that promises to blow the lid off the festival circuit.

The five-piece group that made its debut at the San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival two years ago in a cameo role and then played to full houses at last year's Border City bash, will be San Diego's sole entry in the upcoming Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. Not a bad way to go for a fledgling ensemble.

In the event you're in the dark on what rockabilly is all about, it's the combination of rock and roll and hillbilly or Country Western. Jazz? Not really, but toe-tapping fun, definitely.

Smith's compatriots include boogie babe Sue Palmer, who occasionally ditches the piano and raises a ruckus on a squeeze box; a couple of guitarists, Gino Meregillano and Jon d'artenay who also goes by Johnny G, versatile Katie Cavera, a vivacious vocalist and splendid bass player, and tasteful timekeeper Smith, who bills himself as Junior Smith.

Though individual Hayriders come from disparate interests and roots, the rockabilly route serves as a common meeting ground. And there's no question, it's royally ripe rockabilly we're talkin' about whether it's Palmer kicking the daylights out of her own compositions, "Ferriday Breakdown" and "Bossier Boogie" or Johnny G reaching down deep to tackle Johnny Cash's "Folsom Prison Blues" or scoring a direct hit on Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel."

Both Johnny G and Meregillano contribute a couple of originals and Cavera, with that appealing voice and prize-winning smile, turns in a fine effort on her composition, "I'm Not That Girl."

A final word: Don't be frightened off the term "rockabilly." Plunk down a few bucks for this disc and check it out. You won't be sorry you did."

For your very own copy of The Hayriders CD please visit: http://www.myspace.com/thehayriders

Ray Skjelbred - Frolicking Fido
(TRM - 128)

This is the third offering from the Ray Skjelbred Quartet and I think we just keep getting better! (Can I say that?) Lots of great 'Chicago' influence here: We give the Jimmie Noon treatment to "Blues My Naughty Sweetie Gives To Me" and wake the neighbors with "China Boy". I play Guitar on 10 of the 24 tracks.

Order by sending $17 to: Triangle Jazz, Ltd. 19031 Ocean Ave., Edmonds, WA 98020
Please make checks or money orders payable to: Tom Rippey

Listen to "Every Evening" from Frolicking Fido

Ray Skjelbred - Jazz & Blues
(TRM - 126)

This is the follow up CD to "Costa Mesa Sessions". 22 tracks of standards (Monday Date / I Would Do Anything For You), rarities (Peculer / Goodbye, Don't Cry), and some Ray originals (Heelots / Autumn Star). I play Rhythm Guitar on 10 of the tracks.

Order by sending $17 to: Triangle Jazz, Ltd. 19031 Ocean Ave., Edmonds, WA 98020
Please make checks or money orders payable to: Tom Rippey

Listen to "A Porter's Love Song" from Jazz & Blues

Hal's Angels - And the Angels Swing
(AS - 4401)

16 Kansas City Swing, Blues and Boogie tunes including "Corner Pocket", "Truckin'" and "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee. I play Guitar, have a couple vocals, and sing a duet with my pal Anita Thomas.

Listen to "Lester Leaps In" from And the Angels Swing

The Reynods Brothers Rhythm Rascals - ZaSu Records No. 6

15 tunes from the 20's and 30's done in the traditional washboard band style. Tracks include "Washboard Wiggles","At Sundown" and "Swing That Music". I play National Plectrum Guitar and have a couple vocals.

Order by sending $18 to: 719 Kilson Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92701 Please make checks or money orders payable to: Ralf Reynolds

Listen to "Swing That Music" from ZaSu Records No. 6

The Firehouse Stompers - Leaving Our Mark

16 tracks with all the bells and whistles from this Firehouse 5 + 2 tribute band. Lots of fan favorites like, "Firehouse Stomp", "That's A-Plenty", and "By The Sea". I play banjo and have some vocals.

Order by Sending $18 to: 22221 Bloomfield Ave. Sp 5 Cypress, CA 90603. Please make checks or money orders payable to: Ruth Butler

Listen to "Firehouse Stomp" from Leaving Our Mark

Ray Skjelbred - Costa Mesa Sessions
(TRM - 125)

Ray plays Chicago style piano with guitar, bass, and drums. CD includes some original piano solos along with rarities like Irving Berlin's "Isn't It A Lovely Day" and fresh takes on standards like "Oh Baby" and " Sugar". I play rhythm guitar on nine of the tracks.

Order by sending $17 to: Triangle Jazz, Ltd. 19031 Ocean Ave., Edmonds, WA 98020
Please make checks or money orders payable to: Tom Rippey

Listen to "I Never Dreamt" from Costa Mesa Sessions

Clint Baker's New Orleans Jazz Band - Tears
(EFOCD-401)

The Traditional "Ostrich Walk", "Oriental Strut", and not so traditional "My Heart At Thy Sweet Voice" done New Orleans Style. I play banjo, guitar, and have a vocal on "Sweet Man".

Order by sending $18 to:3517 5th Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90018. Please make checks or money orders payable to: Katie Cavera.

Listen to "You Made Me Love You (When I Saw You Cry)" from Tears

Marc Caparone And His Usonia Six - What's The Use Of Crying Baby?
(EFOCD-301)

Pop tunes from the 30's including standards like "Mean To Me" and "Little White Lies" and some lesser heard tunes like "Down Georgia Way" and "Please Keep Me In Your Dreams". I play rhythm guitar.

Order by sending $16 to:P.O. Box 479 Paso Robles, CA 93447. Please make checks or money orders payable to: Marc Caparone.

Listen to "I've Got My Fingers Crossed" from What's The Use Of Crying Baby?

Bobby Gordon - The Bobby Gordon Sextet
(JCD - 323)

Some of Bobby's favorite standards including: "June Night", "Poor Butterfly", "If I Could Be With You One Hour Tonight" and "I Cried For You". I play rhythm guitar.

Visit the Jazzology website for ordering information.

Listen to "Poor Butterfly" from The Bobby Gordon Sextet