“The Barrelhouse Wailers play a collection of fun, upbeat New Orleans classics, with a swagger that is unique to the french quarter. Just like the street performers of Bourbon street, this acoustic group has you tapping your toes and snapping your fingers. And it can’t be authentic ‘New Orleans’ without a Tuba, Clarinet, and a homemade drum kit.” – Adam Randall, Squashed Grapes
I remember walking in and hearing the Barrelhouse Wailers for the first time and thinking, “Damn, these guys are good!” They take you back to a simpler time, maybe to a speakeasy during Prohibition on their softer numbers, or to the French Quarter in New Orleans during one of their many upbeat tunes; and I can’t help but reminisce about those fabulous black and white movies featuring some amazing dance numbers. The band has style, there’s no doubt about it and they capture it completely with their debut release, “Last Call.”
Straight out of the gate the music will get you tappin’ your toes and boppin’ your head wishing you had a dance partner to hand with “When I Get Low, I get High.” Thinking back to dance class in middle school my jitterbug moves come back naturally and I’m good to go working my way about the house listening to “Last Call.” Karen Parkhouse fronts the band with her distinctive vocals nailing the genre never breaking form. She softens a bit for “Freight Train” which I found endearing and delightful. The band compliments each other and is tight as tight can be with three of the songs recorded live at The Saloon BBQ and at Squashed Grapes here in Ventura. The songs selected are all standards so they should be super familiar and trust me, catchy. Production is top-notch.
“The Barrelhouse Wailers play vintage acoustic Americana roots music with New Orleans style. Their jazz, blues, folk mixture is played by talented musicians that leave you with a smile and a Mardi Gras feeling during and after each performance.” – Rich Barth, Publisher of venturacountyjazz.com
According to the band’s bio, “The band formed in the spring of 2012 by guitarist, Wayne Philipp, and singer, Karen Parkhouse, who wanted to perform the Pre-WWII Jazz and Blues they both loved. The duo soon found like minded musicians over the next few months and after a few personnel shifts, cemented the current lineup by the end of the year. Featuring a line up of 6-8 musicians.”
Oh! And I love the sound effect of a stylus left on the record at the end of the CD. Nice touch!
Last Call
1. When I Get Low, I Get High (Marion Sunshine)
2. Crow Jane (Trad.)
3. Yes Sir That’s My Baby (Walter Donaldson, Bus Kahn)
4. Freight Train (Elizabeth Cotten)
5. After You’ve Gone (Turner Layton, Henry Creamer)
6. St. Louis Blues (WC Handy)
7. I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (Jimmy McHugh, Dorothy Fields)
8. Do Your Duty (Wesley A Wilson)
9. Some of These Days (Shelton Brooks)
10. I Need a Little Sugar in my Bowl (Clarence Williams, Dally Small, Tim Brymn)
11. Joseph, Joseph (Saul Chaplin, Sammy Cahn, Nellie Casman, Samuel Steinberg)
12. St. James Infirmary (Trad.)
The Players
Karen Parkhouse – Vocals
Wayne Phillipp – Guitar, Banjo
Curt Ingram – Cornet
David White – Harmonica, Mandolin
Alethea Lamb – Clarinet
Jim Wade – Tuba
David Leoneavallo – Bass
Diamono Andreo – Drums
www.Facebook.com/BarrelhouseWailers
www.reverbnation.com/thebarrelhousewailers
The Barrelhouse Wailers are extraordinary in so many ways, they would be a gem anywhere, but for Ventura to be their port o call is nearly miracle.