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For nearly 20 years, Leon Redbone has showcased his blend of jazz and folk to a whole host of eager ears. During that time, he's released eleven CD's and toured internationally. One would think maintaining such a high profile in jazz circles for so many years would tire this virtuoso out, but Redbone continues to bounce back with fresh music. Oddly enough, Any Time does a decent job of making the folky jazz and ragtime styles of the past sound current. Songs like "Sweet Substitute," "If You Knew," and the title cut obviously pay tribute to his love for 1920s-styled compositions. But songs like "Louisiana Fairytale" and "Sittin' On Top of the World"  don't fair as well, hosting a sluggish feel void of any spontaneity. "Your Feets Too Big" was an filler cut to close the album, which is best remembered as the Harry and the Hendersons theme song. Although that track would have been better suited locked up the past, the majority of the disc attempts to make the styles from yesterday relevant once again.

Andy Argyrakis 8/23/2001

Dim the lights, open the windows on a hot, lazy summer evening, pour yourself a drink, and slow dance around the living room with your spouse.  Leon Redbone has released his first album in seven years, entitled Any Time, and the title signifies when this CD is fun to listen to: any time.

Redbone, perhaps best known for the Budweiser themes of the 70's or "Your Feets Too Big", the theme song for the TV show Harry and the Hendersons, puts his own personal spin of thirteen songs ranging from 1920's jazz, World War II-era big band, and Broadway-style torch songs.

There is nothing new here:  Songs such as "Ain't Gonna Give You None of My Jelly Roll" and "Sittin' on Top of the World" have been around for decades, and performed countless times by many different artists.  So why does this album work?  To me, two reasons.  First, Redbone is faithful to the original to the songs themselves. His Randy Newman/Burl Ives/Bing Crosby vocals are true to the style of the originals. Secondly, seventeen different musicians appear on the album other than Redbone himself.  Guitar, banjo, bass, drums, piano, tuba, clarinet, trombone, cornet, harmonica, and fife all appear on various selections.  Having The Persuasions featured on backup vocals doesn't hurt either.

"All I Do is Dream of You," "Moonlight Bay," and "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" are as comfortable as your favorite pair of blue jeans.  From beginning to end, Leon Redbone has produced an album that will remain in my CD rotation for quite a while.  His brand of Louisiana jazz is exactly what the doctor ordered.

One note for fans (or newcomers): This is Redbone's first release with Blue Thumb, and the company has committed to re-releasing five of his previous outputs on CD.

Brian A. Smith 8/28/2001