Reprinted from The American Rag, 5/98

The strength of clarinetist Norrie Cox's New Orleans Stompers lies in its back-roomy, spirited, uptown New Orleans-styled ensemble, helmed by Charlie DeVore's light-but-assertive cornet and riding on the stick-to-business rhythm of banjoist (guitar on one selection) Mike Carrell, bassist Bill Evans and drummer Donald "Doggie" Berg. We get plenty of it in this 57-minute no-nonsense Mach 1997 recording. On several of the eleven titles, such as the romping "Maryland, My Maryland," five of the six players are onstage throughout, one horn dropping out here and there while the other two toss around the melody.

The few solos average out at a notch below the ensembles. Carrell gives a good account of himself in his three outings. Cox has an attractive old-timey tone and reasonable facility, initially tending to run chords but becoming more expressive as the session unfolds. Trombonist Jim Klippert's gruff, percussive solos are on the stiff side, sounding as if he hasn't yet heard about eighth notes.

As indicated, however, the solos are not what this album is about. Overall, the Stompers get you goin', producing and attractive idiomatic CD that will please uptown buffs.