Taking Care of Business by Tipitina

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Debbie Jones & Justin RandallTipitina were certainly ‘Taking Care of Business’ when they put together their second album released in 2012.

If you’ve listened to their fabulous first album ‘I Wish I was in New Orleans’ and expected them to be similar – think again. Here Tipitina bring you a collection of songs that gives a firmer understanding of who they are and their influences from the Jazz and Blues scenes.

Recorded before a live audience in 2011, Justin Randall opens up with an accelerando intro. Tap dancing his fingers across the keys like Fred Astaire on a spotlit stage, Justin whisks into the opening track ‘Hey Pocky Way’ with Debbie Jones on vocals complimenting him like Ginger Rogers.

In fact the pair, backed by Andy Jones – Electric Guitar and Nick Millward on Drums, are “a force to be reckoned with” as they play their way through hits like ‘Brickyard Blues’ and the brilliant ‘Fess Medley’ by their musical hero Professor Longhair (Tipitina of course being the name of one of the Professors songs back in 1953).

Debbie’s background as a Gospel Choir singer is evident in the tracks ‘Louisiana 1927′ and the bands own compositions ‘You, Me & The Keys’, ‘Taking Care of Business’ and ‘You Are A Blessing’ which sees Debbie accompanied by four of her harmonious Choir friends.

Now being a big Amy Winehouse fan, I’m not easily pleased by renditions of her songs but the dynamic band won me over completely with ‘You Know I’m No Good/Tico Tico’. Justin commences with the opening keys of the Winehouse classic before launching into a scherzando James Booker-style ‘Tico Tico’. The juxtaposition is magical and becomes even more so when Debbie brings in her sultry vocals.

The album closes with ‘Sweet Louisiana’ a piano solo by English composer Albert Ketelbey. It’s fitting that they should choose this song by a British artist like themselves, showing that you don’t need to be from the deep south to be rooted in the blues.

If you haven’t seen them play live yet – make sure you put it on your wishlist. For more information you can visit their Facebook page or Debbie Jones on Twitter

If you’ve seen them live and love their music, vote for Tipitina to win the ‘Best Small Band’ award at this years British Jazz Awards

Tour Dates

  • September 29th – Bognor Regis Blues & Jazz weekender