Big Al Dupree
Swings The Blues
(DBS 8902)
For those poor uninitiated souls who have
never had the pleasure of trekking up those stairs just to the right of the old Lakewood
Theater (Dallas), relaxing (drink optional) at the Balcony Club Bar and listening to the
magic of Big Al Dupree, I feel your pain. Now pry yourself up out of that hideous neon
orange recliner and get down there! In the mean time, to get yourself into the proper mode
of corrugation, put this disc on the player, and prepare to swing the blues. It seems
insane that Al Dupree has only done one album in his 76 year tenure on planet Earth.
Currently, he is hard at work on a second one. If it is half as good as the first, it will
be twice as good as the rest of the crop. This CD is a great showcase for that incredible,
indescribable quality that makes Dupree one of Dallas' best kept secrets. Smooth,
heavyweight vocals, energetic spontaneous mingling of instruments, and a keen sense of
rhythm punctuate this collection of tunes. A classy little package of shuffling ivories
and sultry saxophone solos mixed into the interstices of some wisely conscripted pieces.
Big Al brings a shining quality to the songs that puts one in the mind of some 1940's
dream sequence where the cocktails are flowing, the floor is made out of marble, the band
is jamming and all is right with the world. Try listening to Al croon "How Bout
That" and NOT have that image in your mind. The whole CD has a timeless quality to
it. Check out Big Al's streamlined versions of "Early This Morning" or "Wee
Baby Blues" and you will get hip. The band turns in some stunning performances. Teddy
Morgan and the Sevilles provide an excellent improvisational (dare I utter the word) jazzy
canvas for Big Al to paint his masterpieces on. A great CD from a truly great artist!
- Bill Fountain -
Southwest Blues CD Review - July 1999
Current Reviews -
1999 Reviews - available at our store
