This band are a rare thing in a time of quick duplication, cover versions and dubious repetition, they actually continue an old tradition and give it vitality. The Hot Club of Cow Town are from Houston Texas and they play a fine mix of European gypsy jazz and western swing. It’s a tradition that carries a testament to music that came to Europe by way of America and reacquainted itself with its deeper folk roots. This was fittingly complemented with a good old country jig that is still true to its nomadic art.
They seem as fresh as daisy’s on a dreary, mud clogged Glastonbury day playing convincingly through a number of effortless love songs that seemed to hold a vintage finery from a summer a life time ago.
Violinist and singer Elana Fremerman played with a nod to the type of chromatic wonder that the great Stephanie Gripelli was once capable of doing in the hot club days of the 1930’s, perhaps with a little less flare but with a cunning spark all of her own. Sweet, insinuating melodies came fluttering out into a sound brimming with an improvised virtuosity that seems rare today.
The sprawling, huddled crowd seemed almost overwhelming for such an intimate affair as this but it was a sight for saw eyes that was met with glee.