CD Review

Initially formed as a jazz-funeral band almost 30 years ago, New Orleans’ own Dirty Dozen Brass Band has returned to their roots with their latest effort, the studio follow-up to 2002's guest laden Medicated Magic, with Funeral For A Friend. Like everything else in the Crescent City, death is a time for celebration and this album is meant to give listeners a glimpse into a traditional New Orleans jazz-funeral precession from church to cemetery with the DDBB offering up the soundtrack.

The somber sit along side the upbeat on these ten gospel-tinged, spiritual/traditional songs, giving you a sense of both jubilation and self-reflection. The album flows effortless from track to track, giving it a live feel that makes you almost picture yourself walking down the street side by side with the band. The album opens with “Just A Little Closer,” which starts out like a slow dirge, but eventually morphs into a brassy swing tune. While "Jesus on the Mainline" and "I’ll Fly Away" are up-tempo gospel revival numbers and "John The Revelator" is straight-up dirty New Orleans jazz. The band aptly closes with "Amazing Grace" punctuating this truly beautiful and emotional album.