Sometimes Perrine plays it like a Fender bass, like on the soulful "Trash Bash" or the solemn ballad "Prom Song." On the latter, he even plays it well in the pocket with Marsalis on a the funky interlude. Meanwhile, Ellis is throwing it down on with his tenor.
Just as effectively, Ellis provides some heartfelt soloing on the somber Molly Ivins tribute "I Miss You Molly." Versace follows up with an equally pretty solo.
Some of the song titles are pretty self-explanatory. "Three-Legged Tango" and "Tattooed Teen Waltzes With Grandma" are indeed a tango and waltz, respectively, but with cleverly awkward passages these names suggest. "Zydeco Clowns On The Lam" isn't exactly zydeco music, but Varsace does switch from organ to accordion and the bandmembers clown around with changing tempos.
The album finishes as upbeat as it starts with the shuffling boogie gospel of "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow."
Literally bringing this music home, John Ellis and Double-Wide will perform at this year's New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 1. If you're in town for Jazz Fest that weekend and are ready to "dance like there's no tomorrow," you'd do well to go absorb the joyous music of this record up-close and personal.
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