Hailed by the press as "the most authentic" of the acts to emerge from the swing revival, The Lucky Strikes have outlasted the trend, thanks to what Billboard calls "snappy rhythms and velvet vocals," as well as sophisticated horn arrangements and a sound that appeals to lovers and dancers of all ages.

On A Perfect Evening, the neo-standards written by bandleader Craig Marshall seamlessly blend with classics by such songwriting legends as Johnny Mercer, Jerome Kern, Cole Porter and Jimmy Van Heusen. It's timeless music spiced with a whiff of nostalgia and scented with the irresistible air of romance. From sprightly swing tunes like "I Remember You," "I Don't Believe A Word," "What Is This Thing Called Love" and "Easy To Love" to sexy slow dances like "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You," "A Perfect Evening" and "When My World Began" to the instrumental tour de force of "Poinciana" to the soothing last call of "Polka Dots & Moonbeams," the album offers music for any and all occasions. A Perfect Evening is swinging and crooning as it's meant to be: lyrically elegant, musically sophisticated, and rhythmically captivating, embracing listeners in a warm hug and seducing them with the sweetest kisses.

Both their lyrics and their music have become more reflective of events on the dance floor with subjects like "Swing Let's Swing." But even in those cases, colorful lyrics are often present, the reason being that lyricist and singer Craig Marshall is an undeniable Sinatra fan with the vocal chords to do his hero justice.

The crooner approach defines much of the band, but it's the combination of the sixties swinger with the attitude of a jump blues band that makes The Lucky Strikes unique. Still, this is not an in-your-face swing band. Sure, there are a few songs that let loose, like the double-timed "Til We Meet Again" or the heavier drum beat of "Once Before." But thanks to imaginative arrangements, the energetic horns and rhythm avoid the big hits, leaving the band with a suave and sophisticated sound: the drums are usually stroked with brushes and the horns stuff their charts with smaller, more meaningful notes rather than loud belts of sound.

Song and Dance is packed with quality moments. Each track finds time for a nimble-fingered player to take the spotlight. The melodies and orchestrations are ear catching and a dip into some beautiful string arrangements on the eighth track suggests that these boys have many more fresh ideas and the talent to see them produced. The say that everything is big in Texas. In this case, it's big secret that needs to be let out -- The Lucky Strikes.

Unlike many neo-swing bands, The Lucky Strikes seem content with reliving the past. They make no attempt to contemporize their sound with punk strains, ska tinges, or discussions of current events. Instead, their martini music is snappy rhythms and velvet vocals, all of which beckon audiences to years ago.

Taking nothing away from the Big Bad Voodoo Daddies, the Cherry Poppin' Daddies, and any other daddies you care to name, when it comes to swing, The Lucky Strikes are the most authentic. At their live shows you can't tell the originals from the covers. And one spin of their last release, Twelve Past Midnight, transports you back to the best days of Ellington, Porter, and Sinatra.

I caught up with The Lucky Strikes two weeks ago at Club Bene in Sayreville. Fronted by singer/songwriter/guitarist Crag Marshall, The Strikes... performed a terrific mix of originals and classic standards. Some of the night's more memorable musical moment came on gems like, "Someone Elses's Dream" (1st class original), "Swing Let's Swing" (new on/heavy Sinatra vibe) "Why Not Fall in Love" (way cool original), "When You'll Be Mine (a swing for lovers gem),...

Hey This was a flawless performance by a group of inspired musicians who treated their audience to an authentic taste of the swing era! It's hard to tell if the predominantly teen audience realized what they were witnessing here. But, I can tell you this: The Lucky Strikes are the finest swing band I've heard! This was the way it was, when Swing Was King and Lovers Swooned!