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"Bringing
together Portland natives as well as transplants from Colorado
to the deep south, the Rose City’s newest 20s and 30s
jazz getup is already tickling ears and funny bones with the
release of their debut album, Magnolia. To see them live,
in character, is a delightful treat but lucky for us, all
of the personality shines through in this recording. From
Dee Settlemier’s spunky, sometimes growling vocals,
appropriate for a uke strumming, flapper dressed front-woman,
to the signature, perky Hawaiian steel guitar punctuation
courtesy of Henry Bogdan, to Doug Sammons' top hat and gentlemanly
vocals, this combo not only brings the charm of vintage jazz
and swing but the spirit, the background and all of the wonderful
connotations and quirks to boot. Well suited to their name,
the Midnight Serenaders specialize in happy music for hard
times: appropriate for the 20s and 30s as much as it is relevant
today."
Tamara Turner |
