Artie Traum - South Of Lafayette (CD)

All Music Guide

Back in the '60s when a young Artie Traum was building his résumé on the New York City folk scene baby boomers had a saying: never trust anyone over 30. But from a musical standpoint, one of the problems with that assertion (apart from the fact that it was just plain ageist) is the fact that some musicians get better and better as they grow older. Traum is a perfect example. The Bronxborn singer/songwriter was in his late fifties when he recorded South of Lafayette in 2002, and he is very much on top of his game throughout this excellent album which is best described as folkrock with frequent jazz overtones. Not all of the songs on this 45minute CD are jazzinfluenced, but many of them are and Traum's appreciation of jazz is a major asset on memorable offerings like "The Ballad of Frankie O," "The Map," the cynical "In Paris," and the haunting title track. Musically, "Memorial Day 1959" isn't as jazzinfluenced as the abovementioned songs, but lyrically, it employs a lot of jazz imag...ery. Looking back on life in New York City in 1959 (the year Traum turned 16), Traum fondly recalls a time when John Coltrane and Symphony Sid were cultural icons in his home town. "Memorial Day 1959" is a good example of why Traum's age is a plus on South of Lafayette; Traum's many experiences and many years of living give him a lot to write about. It should be noted that not everything on this album is jazzinfluenced; "Mockingbird," "Hills of Sicily," and "Niagara" aren't jazzinfluenced either musically or lyrically, and they are great songs. South of Lafayette is an impressively consistent outing from this veteran folkrocker. - Alex Henderson, All Music Guide Read more Less