Brent Black

Digital Jazz Review

Cow Bop Too Hick For The Room 2011

Have I lost my mind?

Well...There are actually several schools of thought on that.

If you take a look at my "About Me" page you will notice I mention that I am not here to promote one specific artist, label, or genre of music and have often referred to jazz as a musical melting pot.

Now my words are coming back to haunt me...and I have never had more fun!

Cow Bop is the brain child of guitarist Bruce Forman who is indeed the swingin' statesman of west coast jazz. To begin you need a musical frame of reference - think Kenny Burrell meets Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys.

Forman is long known as a bebop master from his days with Richie Cole and more recently his work with Clint Eastwood in the film "Million Dollar Baby." The third release for Cow Bop "Too Hick For The Room" is indeed a musical melting pot, a hybrid of Texas swing and bebop done with incredible authenticity and musianship and is probably the most fun you will ever have listening to a recording of any kind.

According to Forman, "Too Hick For The Room" is announcing the official repeal of jazz snobbery. As a card carrying member of the jazz elite I had my doubts but found this to be one of the most entertaining and well thought out musical projects I have heard in some time.

Pinto Pammy covers the vocals. Phil Salazar is on fiddle, Alex King is on bass and Jake Reed rounds out the group on drums. With a song list that includes the classics "San Antonio Rose" and "Besame Mucho" this release is sure to please.

While the repeal of jazz snobbery seems unlikely I can promise you a look at an important part of American music and a great deal of fun at the same time. If you like country music on any level, swing or heck if you have just driven through the state of Texas be sure and go to http://www.cowbop.com/!

The national release date is June 7th but you can find advance information at the web site.

Western bop? Country jazz? Call it what you will...It works!