Iguanas
The Iguanas (Margaritaville) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)
The ultimate roadhouse band? New Orleans’ Iguanas can make a pretty good claim to that title based on their fine debut album for Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville record label. Over the course of the album’s 12 tunes the quintet glides effortlessly between vintage-sounding Gulf Coast rhythm and blues (“If I Turned to You,” “Late at Night,” “This Night of Sin”) and Latin-style fare ranging from fiery salsas (“Para Donde Vas”) to bouncy Tex-Mex polkas (“Take Your Picture, Your Letters and Your Ring”). Primary songwriter Rod Hodges displays a knack for turning out material redolent of the ’50s and ’60s, while twin saxophonists Joe Cabral and Derek Huston combine for some great honkin’ tenor work throughout. Decidedly retro and eclectic, and positively cool.
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