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The Groove
January 25th, 2011 at 7:04amAt the Americana conference this year I discovered a trio of young musicians who will appeal to fans of Western Swing from the 1930s and 40s as well as the jazz swing of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. They are known as the Hot Club of Cowtown and their latest CD, Wishful Thinking (Gold Strike), really swings. Standards like “Columbus Stockade Blues” and “Someone To Watch Over Me” are given fresh arrangements, while newly composed tunes penned by violinist and vocalist Elana James fill out the 14 tracks of pure enjoyment on the disc. Whit Smith plays guitar and shares vocals and Jake Erwin backs them up on string bass.
“You definitely don’t have people thinking that vintage Western Swing is going to be a fat money maker and the accompanying attitude tends to marginalize it and make it seem like some fusty irrelevant genre when in reality, the music is filled with an incredible amount of joy and power,” said James. “We gave up on the traditional sense of commercial music years ago. All I know is that we play this music because we love it and I don’t think there’s any other band out there quite like us which is something I’m really proud of.”
Across the Great Divide: Dustbowl Revival and The Hot Club of Cowtown play the Atwood
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The Hot Club of Cowtown has been lauded by some as the “crossroads where country meets jazz and chases the blues away”—but to the band’s lead singer and fiddler&...
HoC is the greatest! I’ve heard many groups. You three are the best. Jake’s flying hand, Whit’s nimble fingers and Elana’s triple notes make for a jaw dropping experience. Keep on, children!
Sounds like an amazing collaboration and some great shows on the horizon. Play on.
Absolutely, stunningly TRUE. I’ve followed Hot Club for 25 years, and there is no group like them. They love what they do; we love what they play. I live in Nashville and know lots of miserable wealthy mainstream country musicians. Hot Club is not in that group.
You should be proud. My hat’s off to anyone making a life in the arts 🎭 . . . p.s.: I had to look-up “fusty” - cool word ...
There is no other like the Hot Club of Cowtown! Play it like you feel it.
Love HCoC. Talented and true to their art.
Amen sister! I told somebody last Saturday that if I was stranded on a deserted island with only one genre of music, it'd be western swing!
Proud to have been a fan & friend since they began in Austin.
My wife and I discovered Hot Club at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival way back I believe in 2006. It was just Whit and Jake and they did an awesome job. As you returned the following years, we have appreciated your style of music so much. We have most if your CD's, signed of course and look forward to the next time we see you all again. I'm sure I have seen smoke coming off your fingers when you play, Elana. So intense! 😉👍👍👍
Agreed ! Love your stuff !!
If you aren't playing the kind of music that makes your heart happy, there's no sense in playing. Keep making your heart......and mine....happy
You are absolutely right! !! Just play what makes you happy, not the most money. Love y'all's style, no others like you for sure.
Best three musicians I have ever heard. Been watching you guys on Roku at some of the shows you have played. Simply awesome.
I first saw you on Larry's Country Diner, and I was blown away! I've spent a lot of time on YouTube watching your videos, and I hope your itenerary leads you to North Central Florida, so we can have the in person experience!
Straight from the heart!
Still our favorite group!
Caught the show last night in Kirkland WA.... Excellent and had a blast!
Yep. That about says it!
ALASKA this week! New UK tour dates announced! + New music (download it!) and new tour dates worldwide:)- mailchi.mp/hotclubofcowtown/alaska-this-week-the-uk-new-music-download-it-new-tour-dates-worldwid...
Who doesn't LOVE the Hot Club of Cowtown?????
Got this "don't fence me in" happy vibe when I looked at this photo!
Great !!!! You guys are so great!
I would love to see you in Tacoma......can't find anyone to take with me
can't wait to see you Saturday!
AK... AZ - they're not that far apart.
Oh Elana... when you tour the UK in November, you're NOT coming to Bristol.. devastated 😢
Just out today....a little something different. We'll be heading back to the early 1930s soon enough, but for now, our first foray into the later half of the 20th Century!
♫ Crossing the Great Divide - Hot Club of Cowtown. Listen @cdbaby
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Click to listen at CDBaby
is it available on cd?
Lupa is on the bike !!’
wishing you much success with the new album
Congrats......sounds great !!!
It's all good!
Alaska, Vancouver, and Washington state! Looking forward to some Pacific northwestern winter beauty!Alaska, Vancouver and Washington....Getting excited to come see you in ten days!!
MauraLee O'Brien!!
Saw you on TV with Sarah Brown!
How do I listen to your music on you tube. Seen us on the diner and have two cds
Eugene, Oregon is part of the PNW. 😉😉😀
Love her.....#sheros #lucinda Got to see Lucinda Williams last night with Charles Lloyd. The more time goes by, I realize how meaningful it is to me to get to see and meet women who have stayed in the game, persevered, toughed it out, and gone through all the epic, relentless BS that is required to succeed in the "...long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free" (Hunter S. Thompson), especially as a female. I found it surprisingly moving to talk with her, even so very briefly, and also inspirational to see what can happen when you just keep showing up, (and, of course, happen to be a poetic genius).
TWO greats in this pic! Rock on Elana! I'm an ole friend of Tommy Mo and glad i got to catch you here on the Santa Fe Bandstand many moons ago...hope to catch you in Austin at some point in the not too distant future.
+1 on HST reference. ;)
Keep on going down those gravel roads.
Always good to know there's still fine people about.
your smile says it all