CD Review: Blue Jar - Pelican Crossing

Blue Jar - Pelican Crossing
2007, Blue Jar

Blue Jar has been described as akin to Irish/Gypsy Jazz. Listening to their full length debut, Pelican Crossing, a finer moniker can not be found for this Belfast, Ireland trio. Drawing on the best of the three traditions listed above, Blue Jar has created a lilting and mysterious master class of songs on CD!

Opening with an instrumental take on jazz standard I've Found A New Baby, Blue Jar breathes the most life into this standard since the Squirrel Nut Zippers took it on in the 1990's. This may be the favorite of some listeners due to familiarity's sake, but there are other tracks here worth investigating. Czardas is a lilting yet sleepy European coffee-house tune. Love Song Without Words is a beautiful throwback to the era of black and white movies romances.

After You've Gone is perfect 1950's Supper Club fare, and will have your toes tapping from the start. Other highlights include the melodramatic Dark Eyes, Blue Moon and El Relicatio (can you say Tango?). Blue Jar displays amazing musicianship and the occasional wave of pure inspiration in their playing. This is a real chance to broaden your musical horizons and catch on to same amazing music. Pelican Crossing is a welcome addition to the music marketplace, and Blue Jar should be around making great music for some time to come.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Blue Jar at www.myspace.com/bluejarbelfast. You can purchase a copy of Pelican Crossing at www.cdbaby.com/bluejar.