Putumayo Presents Kermit Ruffins by Kermit Ruffins

08 Jan

Written by Richard Bourcier
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Continuing its entry into the realm of New Orleans music, Putumayo World Music offers a compilation of recordings by Kermit Ruffins. The Crescent City native is the veteran of many recording sessions and the cream of the crop are sampled here. Through the 1990s, Ruffins recorded for Justice Records and continues to appear on Basin Street Records. The Justice items are no longer available but are well represented on this album.

While my "review copy" does not list the personnel and I’ve done my best to glean the makeup of some of the five bands from books and the internet. The results appear at the top of this review.

Firmly in the tradition of New Orlean’s legendary horn-men like Armstrong, Bunk and Kid Thomas, Kermit Ruffins blows with passion and pride. Happily, the compilation includes four original compositions by Ruffins. They are Goodnight, Leshianne, Kermit’s Second Line and Doin’ The Fat Tuesday. Of these, Leshianne clearly showcases both the technically creative and soulful sides of this fine New Orleans player. In contrast, Kermit’s Second Line and When My Dreamboat Comes Home exhibit Kermit’s exciting "rough ‘n ready" side. These tracks from 1992 allow us to hear Crescent City legends in the person of Danny Barker, Lucien Barbarin, Ellis Marsalis and the recently deceased Anthony "Tuba Fats" Lacen. Tuba Fats was a Jackson Square fixture. Both Tuba and Kermit appear as ambassadors in various New Orleans promotional materials. Anthony Lacen had a humungous heart and is dearly missed.

Kermit Ruffins knows how to move a crowd. His own Second Line and Doin’ The Fat Tuesday are shining examples of the trumpeter’s swinging style. Trombonist Corey Henry is a regular in Kermit’s bands and his growling "Kid Ory" attack is wonderful. I’d like to hear more of this fine slip horn swinger.

The Kermit Ruffins disk offers collectors a great chance to lay their hands on some fine "out of print" material.

Additional Info

Artist / Group Name: Kermit Ruffins
CD Title: Putumayo Presents Kermit Ruffins
Genre: Traditional / New Orleans
Year Released: 2005
Record Label: Putumayo
Tracks: Ain’t Misbehavin’; Monday Night In New Orleans; On The Sunny Side Of The Street; After You’ve Gone; Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams; Goodnight; Leshianne; When My Dreamboat Comes Home; Kermit’s Second Line; Bye And Bye; Do The Fat Tuesday.
Musicians: Band One: Kermit Ruffins (tpt, vcl); Corey Henry (tbn); Kevin Morris (sbs); Emile Vinette (pno); Jerry Anderson (dms). Band 2: Kermit Ruffins (vcl, tpt); others unidentified. Band 3: Kermit Ruffins (vcl, tpt); Roderick Paulin (sax); Corey Henry (tbn); Victor Atkins (pno); Shannon Powell (dms). Band 4: Kermit Ruffins (tpt, vcl); Lucien Barbarin (tbn); Anthony Lacen (tuba); Doreen Ketchens (clt); Ellis Marsalis (pno); Danny Barker (bjo); Walter Payton (sbs); Shannon Powell (dms); James Andrews (background vcl).
Label Website: http://www.putumayo.com
Rating: Four Stars