"All Kidding Aside" is a CD/DVD combo pack of whimsical songs and short films created by Ritt Henn. It's a companion piece to "Timber," Ritt's previous album, a groovefest infused with an old-school Memphis vibe. When recording "Timber," Ritt realized that some of the tunes were more humorous than others, and decided to put them aside for use in a "funnier" project. The result: "All Kidding Aside." Order the album via digital download, and you can enjoy every minute of the CD; order the "hard copy," and you'll get a bonus DVD of short films that Ritt created for his series, ManBassBoxTV. In fact, when the band was recording one track at the initial sessions, producer Paul Guzzone said it was too bad it was such a silly song, since it was such a killer groove. The solution: Ritt wrote an entirely new lyric and melody for the track and it appeared on "Timber" as "Superman is Sleeping In"; lose the guitar, add a banjo and the vocals of co-writer Bob Lucas, and it returns to its original incarnation: "Hook Me, Beat Me, Cook Me, Eat Me Up." Add to the mix a handful of tunes recorded with a jazz piano trio (Ritt on upright bass, Bennett Paster on piano and Brother Jeremiah Frederick on drums), and you've got one fun collection of tunes and grooves. ------------------------------- AKA: the CD Like that Hawaiian guy who plays the ukulele and sings "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"? Then you'll love "Fish Fry & Guava Pie," a sprightly ditty penned while Ritt was hanging with his folks on the isle of Tortola, down in the British Virgin Isles. He didn't have his bass with him, but he was not without 4 strings. Like all those Otis Redding ballads in 6/8? Then you'll love "Go to Her," a righteous groove resplendent with a mini gospel choir, a lesson in the proper way to treat a lady when she's under the weather, even if you did just get back from a 5-hour gig in New Jersey. As they are wont to say: "Those who can't do, teach." Like the infectious jump swing of Louis Prima? Then you'll love "I Hate to Repeat Myself," an infectious jump swing number with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Like Cheech & Chong's punchline, "Dave's not here"? Then you'll love "I Hate to Repeat Myself (Alt. Take)." And even if you don't, it's only 7 seconds long. Like Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant"? Then you'll love "I Wish You Well"… it's 12 minutes and 11 seconds shorter, just as catchy, and just might have a story to tell that is even more socially significant. Like sweet little, heart-warming a cappella numbers? Then you'll love "In Love & In Escrow," a sweet little tale of being in love whilst in escrow. Like mantras, but wish they were less drone-y and a bit catchier? Then you'll love "Breathe," a word by which we can all live. Like puns and banjo? Then you'll love "Hook Me, Beat Me, Cook Me, Eat Me Up," a tune co-written and performed with Bob Lucas, inspired by a Ray Troll T-shirt that Ritt saw in a coffee shop on his way to a gig in Maine. Like beatnik bongos? You'll love "Singin' the Blues," a tune Ritt wrote after hearing a singer/songwriter in Belgium intone, "I've got the blues." Like Oscar Peterson and business polemics? Then you'll love "5 Little Ps," a manifesto for the time-management set featuring a swinging jazz piano trio. Like Tony Bennett and romance and animals and stellar brush work? Then you'll love "Zoo," a number that has the jazz trio swinging like the Basie Orchestra. Like a song with more twists and curves than Lombard Street, wending its way through that golden city by the Bay? Then you'll love "In the Spirit of Giving," a sinewy paean to succumbing to one's basest instincts. ------------------------------- AKA: the DVD A collection of short films that incorporate tunes from "Timber" and "All Kidding Aside" in their soundtracks, while embarking on the trials and tribulations of a freelance musician, loving tributes to near and dear ones, tales of urban angst, tips on how to get your car out of a ditch, and the proverbial "much, much more." As we like to say in the spacious studios of ManBassBoxTV, "TV might get different, but it doesn't get any better." Thanks for listening and watching and supporting the arts, in your hometown and out here on the World Wide Web.