Treasury Volume 2
Turtle Bay, 2025
9/10
The pianist Terry Waldo and his excellent band return with a 2nd installment of the Treasury series, where plenty of ragtime spirit is present.
The frisky energy of “Guess Who’s In Town” opens with Veronica Swift’s bright voice alongside Waldo’s dancing keys and Evan Arntzen’s lively clarinet, and “Snake Rag” follows with Mike Davis’ bouncy trumpet and Ricky Alexander’s animated clarinet mesmerizing us.
Halfway through, “Smiles” welcomes Jim Fryer’s strategic trombone and Jay Lepley’s playful drums to the retro mood, while “Get Out And Under The Moon” allows for Molly Ryan’s charming voice to mesmerize us amid Dan Levinson’s sax prowess and Mike Lipskin’s upbeat piano.
“Original Rags” and “Viper Mad” exit the listen. The former makes great use of Jerron Paxton’s intricate banjo, and the latter enlists Brian Nalepska’s quick bass and, of course, Waldo’s inimitable keys.
You might think that Ragtime expired in 1917, but Terry Waldo didn’t get the memo, and he keeps it alive with these really fun and truly timeless gems that are just so infectious.
Travels well with: Terry Waldo & The Gotham City Band- Treasury Volume 1; Mike Thompson- 6th Avenue