Caroline Dahl's previous album, "No Hats" marked her out as a pianist of some renown. Her style owes more to the barrelhouse than the cocktail lounge, despite the photo on the liner notes showing her sat at Liberace's piano. For her latest outing she is once again supported by drummers Kent Bryson and Bowen Brown, but has also recruited Tim Wagar on bass for most of the tracks too.
Dahl sets herself a high standard on the opening "Junebug Boogie" which rattles along nicely. She then ratchets up the tempo another notch for the excellent "Highballing The Overnighter." The bass and drums certainly earn their money for just keeping up on this one, which, like most of the tunes here is a Dahl original.
The first of the two non-original tracks is "Mexican Rose Medley," comprising the somewhat unlikely bedfellows of "Mexicali Rose," "Malaguena," "Caravan," "Spanish Eyes" and even Chopin's "Valse in D Flat." That the whole lot hangs together is down to Dahl's keen ear and considerable playing talents. The other cover is the rollicking "Swanee River Boogie" which incorporates sections of "Red River Valley" (which many may recognise from Johnny & the Hurricane's "Red River Rock") and "Old Folks At Home."
Although most of the numbers are played as a trio, there is also one solo track ("Waltz For Jake" which reminded me a bit of Vince Guaraldi), and three quartet pieces. Tom Rigney contributes violin to the strolling rhythm of "Jackson Ramble," whilst Rob Sudduth blows tenor sax on "River City" and "Tearing Up Heaven" which closes the album in some considerable style.
"Night House" maintains and, in places, surpasses the high standards set by "No Hats." Anyone who likes their blues piano to be mostly uptempo and belted out will be highly satisfied. Even if you are not a big piano fan, many of the tunes on "Night House" are infectiously catchy, so you are almost guaranteed to be tapping your toes by the end.
www.carolinedahl.com
www.globerecords.com
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