MIDDLE OF EVERYWHERE

Pokey LaFarge is pure midwestern entertainment. He plays an old-timey, string-band, jug-band, Mississippi River Boat type of music. His songs sound like they came straight from a 1930s playbook, but they are his own works and are darn clever and filled with a rhythmic drive that makes you want to just get up and dance around. The South City Three are great musical backup complements to Pokey's rhythm guitar and sassy voice. If you like swing music, riverboat music, jug band music and great fun, you will love this album and will probably want to see this guy live. Do it! He is great.

Pokey Lafarge and this album is amazing! Unfortunately the quality of the pressing I got from Amazon was awful. My original order had weird scratches and dimples in the vinyl. I had it replaced and the second had identical issues. I returned the 2nd item and haven't re-purchased.I'm guessing maybe the two I got were from a bad batch?Normally I've had good luck purchasing vinyl from Amazon, however, for this album I'm going to have to go to a local store where I can inspect the vinyl before purchase. So my recommendation is absolutely rush out and buy this album; if it's from Amazon, just check it carefully for imperfections when you receive it.

I bought this album and the "Pokey LaFarge" album at the same time (see my review of "Pokey LaFarge too). I really like this album because it sounds like music from the 1930s and 1940s, but the amazing thing is that LaFarge wrote all of these songs. How do you describe this music? Jug band? Acoustic up-tempo blues? Swing? Country porch stomp/swing/blues? All of these apply. The majority of the songs are up-tempo, featuring solely acoustic guitars, upright bass and harmonica. Banjo joins in on some of the tunes with horns and lap steel making cameo appearances too. (The "Pokey LaFarge" album moves more towards swing and enhances the music with more horns and lap steel, which, I think, makes it a better album). While some songs could be described as pure acoustic blues, most of them lean towards swing because they are played at a fast tempo..most notably So Long Honeybee, Goodbye and Drinkin' Whiskey Tonight. Some of the songs remind me of a quartet version of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, so if you like the Zippers, I think you will like this album. LaFarge's vocals sound right out of the Prohibition Era and he knows how to play his vocals to the music. He plays the part too, usually dressed in a suit and tie, fedora and spats. So gather some of your friends on your porch and give a listen, 'cause we "Drinkin' Whiskey Tonight!" At a time when most popular music sounds very processed, this is a nod to old time fun.

I loved this disc, and was happy to include it in my library of retro music.Pokey's sound and laid back delivery is wonderful in this compilation

What a refreshing new talent. His band, the South City Three are real professionals and make Pokey's style come alive. Pokey Lafarge and the South City Three are Dixieland, Soul, Blues and modern Jazz all rolled into one incredible mix of talent. Just sit back and listen to the words and sounds that are going to make you smile. This music is truly refreshing and new with roots from the past. You're going to hear more from this group in the future.

Pokey is one of the best creators of new songs in an old style. He is steeped in jug band, delta and old country blues so that the songs sound initially familiar, but it is all new, from the subject to the tunes to the delivery. This new release is all that I could hope for as a long-time follower of Pokey; and it's even better since he has added a group of backup musicians that fit like a glove to his style. Keep it coming!

I enjoy Pokey Lafarge's music since several years and this cd didn't disappoint my expectation

I'm hesitant to review another LaFarge cd as I was just introduced to him a couple of weeks ago with "Something in the Water." I immediately bought 3 more of his cd's. This was one. At first I didn't care for it (3 days ago) but listened again today. It's most definitely a winner with old time sound. I only gave it 4 stars because it didn't "hit" me at first, but heck, I was trying to listen to 3 new cd's in one day from a band I'd never heard before! I think old time "country" fans would love this--even though it's not country, it has that sound that a lot of country singers incorporated into their albums way back when.