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ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE
Left behind:
Overlooked musical gems from 2002
By Ellis Widner
This is one hot club that way too many country fans don't know about.
The foundation for this trio's sound is the music of guitarist Django
Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli as the Hot Club of France and
the western swing of Bob Wills' Texas Playboys. Elana Fremerman (violin,
vocals), Whit Smith (guitar, vocals) and Jake Erwin (bass) offer a
spirit of fun and superior musicianship. They now rely less on classics
and more on their superb originals on this major leap forward. Amid
classics such as "You Took Advantage of Me" and "Cherokee Shuffle," the
Austin-based trio offers the bouncy "Forget-Me-Nots" and the dark "It
Starts with Me." Easily their best work and a shining promise of a band
hitting its creative stride.
THE DAILY OKLAHOMAN
Bubbling Under: Triplett's Top 10
By Gene Triplett
12/20/2002
Note: Last week I listed my top 10 favorite albums for 2002, but my
five runners-up were held due to space limitations. Here they are:
Hot Club of Cowtown "Ghost Train" (Hightone Records) - This Austin
trio - consisting of Elana Fremerman (violin, vocals), Whit Smith
(guitar, vocals) and Jack Erwin (upright bass, vocals), throws
everything from Western swing and vintage jazz to traditional '20s
parlor music into their special musical blend, with overdubbed harmonies
reminiscent of Les Paul and Mary Ford.
THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT
From folk to funk, these CDs are one critic's faves
By Kati Schardl
12/20/2002
The Hot Club of Cowtown, "Ghost Train": Hot Club fiddler Elana Fremerman and guitarist Whit Smith contributed seven of the 12 tasty tunes on "Ghost Train," but the originals fit right in with classics such as "Cherokee Shuffle." The Hot Club of Cowtown is one of the best live bands you'll ever see, and I've yet to hear a CD that was less than stellar. The vocal harmonies are perfection and the musicianship is top-notch, as usual. Standout track: "Forget-Me-Nots."
THE SAN FRANCISCO EXAMINER
11/4/02
By Jim Harrington
"One of the best records of 2002."
THE OAKLAND TRIBUNE
The Year in Pop Music
Here's the best of popular music from 2002:
Top 10 Records
"Ghost Train," The Hot Club of Cowtown (HighTone)
On its fourth release for Oakland's HighTone label, this Austin-based hot jazz trio takes a big "Western swing" and knocks one over the fence. Best known for her Texas-dancehall-style fiddle work, Elana Fremerman also has a shyly seductive singing voice that will make a man sell his car to buy a diamond ring.
Anybody got bus change?
WASHINGTON POST
Mr. Bojangles's Austin
By Bill O'Brian
1/12/03
….Back in Austin, over three nights, we would listen to seven bands in five of the clubs the Walkers had recommended. We particularly enjoyed a happy-hour performance by the Hot Club of Cowtown, a western swing/jazz trio, at the Continental Club one evening…
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