Doing Things Right
Jalopy, 2025
9/10
The 84 year old jug/jazz/blues/folk artist Jim Kweskin is joined by The Berlin Hall Saturday Night Revue for these 14 roots and western swing fueled tracks.
“Four Or Five Times” starts the listen with an upbeat energy, where quick piano and call and response singing shuffles with an old time flavor, and “Casey ‘n Bill” follows with Albert Bernard’s well timed tuba alongside Steve Langone’s frisky drums that suit Kweskin’s playful pipes.
Further into the festivities, “I’ll Sail My Ship Alone” uses Titus Vollmer’s spirited guitar amid John Clark’s lively clarinet, while “Mona Lisa” benefits from Matthew Berlin’s well timed bass and the meticulous fiddle.
Deeper yet, “We’ll Meet Again” brings in an entire choir for the intimate mood of beauty, and “Right Or Wrong” exits with Kweskin’s heartfelt story telling alongside crisp drums, bouncy guitar, animated winds and plenty of nostalgic ideas.
A well thought out and retro effort, Kweskin and company pen a pre-war listening experience that’s authentic and timeless.
Travels well with: Ever Lovin’ Jug Band- Move That Thing; Down Hill Strugglers- Old Juniper