Imagine that you’re walking along the boardwalk in Atlantic City circa 1920. The speakeasies are gearing up for long nights and music is filtering out through the crowded throngs of people. And somewhere an ancestor of Blair Crimmins is tuning an instrument. Or at least, this is the image you get when listening to Blair Crimmins & The Hookers’ take on classic ragtime and early jazz. Getting his start in Atlanta, he initially toured the rock club circuit as Blair Crimmins and the Hookers. But he soon felt that his love of ragtime and traditional New Orleans jazz wasn’t being allowed to influence his music to the degree that he wanted, and so a change was in order. Ditching the rock sound and taking up the mantle of Dixieland glamour, he and his band bring jazz and an unique blend of ragtime to modern audiences.
Their latest single, “It’s All Over Now,” blends frenetic hornwork, rhythmic piano playing, and Crimmins own sing-song vocals in a melting pot of classic and modern traditions. It would be difficult to assign specific influences as so few people are working within this particular line of musical thought. And as Crimmins’ music is more evocative of places and times than it is reminiscent of other artists, any comparisons would be moot. Following their own musical muse down Bourbon Street and back, Blair Crimmins & The Hookers invite you to pick up an instrument and join in. Their latest album, Sing-a-Longs, is due out on September 10th via New Rag.
Beats Per Minute is pleased to premiere the latest track, “It’s All Over Now,” from Blair Crimmins & The Hooker’s upcoming album.
