Personnel: Leon Redbone (vocals, guitar); Hank Williams, Jr. (spoken vocals); Howard Alden (guitar, banjo); Birell Lagrien (guitar); Eddie Davis (tenor guitar); David Bromberg (dobro); Steve Fishel, Eric Weissberg (pedal steel); Richard Hendrickson, Richard Maximoff, Alvin E. Rogers, Andy Stein (violin); Bobby Gordon, Joe Muranyl, Ken Peplowski, Chuck Wilson (clarinet); Scott Black, Peter Ecklund (cornet); Dan Barrett, Joel Helleny (trombone); Big Johnny Dong (tuba); Terry Waldo, Mac Rebennack (piano); Vince Giordano (bass saxophone, tuba, bass, drums, percussion); Giampaolo Biagi, Arnie Kinsella (drums).
The Roches: Maggie, Terre, Suzzy (vocals).
Principally recorded at Media Sound Studios, New York, New York.
Personnel include: Leon Redbone (vocals); The Roches (vocals); Hank Williams Jr. (spoken vocals); Bireli Lagrene (guitar); David Bromberg (dobro); Ken Peplowski (clarinet).
Recording information: Media Sound, New York, NY; Sigma Sound, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
This 1986 Leon Redbone release has more of what fans of the mustachioed, fedora-wearing performer have come to expect. With his nostalgic homages to the styles of yesteryear--ragtime, swing, and blues among them--Redbone has a sweet, familiar appeal for most listeners. But while he's largely a revivalist, he also has a fair amount of personal panache, as RED TO BLUE proves. His rich baritone and cheeky delivery give new life to tunes such as "Somebody Stole My Gal" and "Someday Sweetheart."
Redbone dips his cup into country here on "Diamonds Don't Mean A Thing" and "Lovesick Blues," and shows his voice just as well suited to yodel and twang as it is to laid-back jazz crooning. A couple of Redbone's own compositions, "Steal Away Blues" and "Aw You Salty Dog," fit well alongside old-timey rags and Bob Dylan's "Living with the Blues." Redbone is known for inviting high-profile friends to his recording sessions, and RED TO BLUE is no exception. Dr. John, Hank Williams, Jr., and the Roches all put in appearances, adding sparkle and shine to this accomplished, charming record.
