The Dukes of Dixieland - Duke's Place (2025) [Hi-Res]

REVIEW OF Dukes Place

alright, so i finally sat down and gave Dukes Place by the Dukes Of Dixieland a real listen. not gonna lie, i was kinda expecting some sleepy old-time jazz stuff, you know? like background music for a 1970s dentist office. but nah, this 1975 vinyl actually kinda slaps in its own dixieland way. first off, the energy is wild. these dudes are having fun. you can hear it in the horns, the piano, the whole damn crew just bouncing off each other. "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" kicks it off strong—gospel vibe, but jazzy, with Mike Vax’s trumpet leading the charge like he’s marching through the French Quarter at 2am. it’s warm, kinda soulful, and honestly? super catchy. then they hit you with "Vodka And Tonic" — what a weird ass name for a track, right? sounds like a cocktail special. but it’s short, punchy, and has this bouncy clarinet line from Otis Bazoon that sticks in your head. not sure what it’s about, but i’m here for it. feels like a mini-parade in your ears. now, the cover of "Hey Jude"… okay, i was skeptical. who does a dixieland "Hey Jude"? turns out, these guys do. and you know what? it works better than it should. it’s not replacing the Beatles version or anything, but they make it their own. slower start, then it builds with trombone and piano trading licks. Tim Herbez on piano is lowkey killing it throughout the whole record. and Phil Darois on bass tuba? yeah, that’s a thing, and it gives the low end this wobbly, fun bounce. "Swanee" and "Darktown Strutters Ball" are classic tunes, and they play 'em straight but with extra pep. nothing revolutionary, but they’re tight, and Jim Atwood on drums keeps the swing steady without going overboard. it’s not flashy, but it’s solid. side b starts with "At Duke’s Place" — short, sweet, feels like a theme song. then "Lullaby Of Dixieland"… hmm. this one drags a bit. no listed time, and it feels like it just floats away. kinda sleepy. needed more going on, maybe a solo or two to wake it up. but then "Bourbon Street Parade" comes in and boom — back in the groove. lively, chaotic in a good way, everyone playing at once but somehow it all holds together. like a second line parade captured on wax. "Ragtime At Duke’s Place" closes it out with some fast piano and trumpet runs. fun, bouncy, makes you wanna tap your foot or spill your drink. production’s a bit raw, which i actually like. it sounds live, real. not over-polished like some modern stuff. you can hear the room a little, especially in the quieter moments. recorded at Sound Tek Studios, mastered by Sonic Recording — makes sense. it’s got that warm, slightly fuzzy analog vibe. only real gripe? the tracklist’s kinda all over the place. mixing Beatles covers with trad jazz and originals. works sometimes, stumbles others. and "Lullaby" just feels like dead air. but here’s the weird thing — after listening, i went and looked up if they still perform. turns out, yeah — on a steamboat in New Orleans. like, an actual riverboat. these dudes have been playing nightly on the Steamboat Natchez since the 90s? that’s insane. so this album isn’t just nostalgia — it’s part of a living, breathing gig that’s been going non-stop. kinda makes you respect it more, even if it’s not perfect. i’m keeping this vinyl. might not play it every day, but when i wanna feel like i’m sipping a mint julep on a hot summer night, it’s gonna be on the turntable.

Tracklist:
1-1 The Dukes of Dixieland - Vodka and Tonic [2:31]
1-2 The Dukes of Dixieland - Swanee [2:41]
1-3 The Dukes of Dixieland - Lullaby of Dixieland [2:41]
1-4 The Dukes of Dixieland - Just A Closer Walk With Thee [4:59]
1-5 The Dukes of Dixieland - Ragtime at Dukes Place [3:02]
1-6 The Dukes of Dixieland - At Dukes Place [2:56]
1-7 The Dukes of Dixieland - Hey Jude [5:09]
1-8 The Dukes of Dixieland - Burbon Street Parade [4:29]
1-9 The Dukes of Dixieland - Darktown Strutters Ball [3:17]
1-10 The Dukes of Dixieland - Soho [3:06]
1-11 The Dukes of Dixieland - At Dukes Place (45 Vinyl) [2:56]
1-12 The Dukes of Dixieland - Vodka And Tonic (45 Vinyl) [2:32]
1-13 The Dukes of Dixieland - Soho (45 Vinyl) [1:09]