SOUTHSIDE JOHNNY’s “Grapefruit Moon: The Songs of Tom Waits”

(LeRoy, 2009)

Pair up a classic bar-room belter (Southside Johnny) with the repertoire of an experimental blues maverick (Tom Waits), and what do you get?

Surprisingingly enough, you get a successful, solidly swinging jazz album, thanks primarily to Asbury Juke trombonist La Bamba, who arranged, orchestrated and conducted the big band that wails throughout.

And, yes, Waits himself slips in for a duet on “Walk Away,” as delicious as it is offhand.

Grapefruit Moon: The Songs Of Tom Waits