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Non-Prog CD Reviews

The Jorgensens

The Lexington Stretch

Review by Gary Hill

This set is very old-school in sound and often instrumentation. It's also classy from start to finish. Husband and wife duo Kurt Jorgensen and Brianna Tagg-Jorgensen are the vocalists here. Kurt dominates the first half of the album, while Brianna handles the lead vocals for much of the second act. This is great disc packed full of blues, jazz and more. It really is a breath of the past in so many ways. Yet, somehow there is a bit of a modern edge to it, too.

This review is available in book (paperback and hardcover) in Music Street Journal: 2019  Volume 5. More information and purchase links can be found at: garyhillauthor.com/Music-Street-Journal-2019.

Track by Track Review
If The Sea Was Whiskey
Starting acapella, the cut remains that way for the first half minute or so. The blending of voices is magic. Even when the instrumentation joins, it's subtle, just an upright bass. Horns join before the two-minute mark, bringing an old school bluesy jazz approach to the number.
Unchained

A guitar-led arrangement brings this into being. The cut has a killer blues and soul arrangement. There are some horn on this one, too. The vocal arrangement, with it's multiple layers is again exceptional. There are some killer guitar fills on this, too. The whole track just screams "class."

Goin' Goin' Gone
Down-home slide guitar features prominently on this number. It has a bit of a country element to it. It really feels like bayou music in a lot of ways. There is still plenty of bluesy edge to it, and the vocals bring an almost gospel feeling.
Storyville
This number has a real Louisiana jazz sort of vibe to it. There is a hint of modern alternative rock, too. While it's effective, it's not at the same level as any of the pieces that preceded it.
Real Women
While all the previous cuts had male lead vocals, this one features the female side of the equation. There is a powerhouse soul sound to this. It feels like something that could have come out in the 1960s or 70s. It gets a minor parental advisory on the lyrics. The arrangement here is all about the jazz instrumentation.
Babylon
Jazzy, bluesy and soulful, this is all class. The male vocals are the lead ones again here. This has some great guitar sounds, but the horns lend some real magic.
St. James Infirmary
A stripped back, old-school, Dixieland vibe is on display here. The arrangement is really vintage. The cut seems like something that could have been recorded in the 1920s or 30s, at least if it weren't for the recording quality. There is a real slow blues groove to this thing.
Sweet Love
This one features female lead vocals. It has a soulful arrangement. It's still old school, but more modern than a lot of the stuff here. There is plenty of blues rock built into this thing.
Voo Doo
A mellower guitar brings this into being. Other instruments are added to the mix. The female vocals are the main ones here. This has an old-school bayou sound, but there is a modern edge to it, too.
Chocolate And Coffee Blues

Old-school, stripped back blues is on the menu here. This is another that features female vocals. It has some cool guitar fills and great horns. The mood is the key here. This is slow moving and all class.

 
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