On July 3rd (2012) Rip Cat Records will be releasing the much anticipated new release from The Blasters, Fun On Saturday Night. Phil Alvin on Vocals, Harmonica and Guitar is joined by Keith Wyatt on Guitar; John Bazz on Bass and Bill Bateman on Drums. The recording opens with a hot rendition of Tiny Bradshaw's Well Oh Well, a fast paced jump style blues track. Alvin's vocals are strong, Wyatts guitar playing is clean and articulate and the rhythm section is tight. This place is hoppin! Next up is a duet with Excene (Cervenka) on Jackson. Keeping an exciting pace but breaking away from a traditional arrangement, The Blasters do this with classic style. Fun On Saturday Night is a a slick uptempo blues track keeping in the early rock feel and develops a real nice groove. Next up is No Nights By Myself which gets stylistic makeover. Alvin's vocals are supplemented with some sweet harp playing and the band maintains a really vintage sound on this track which is particularly effective. Magic Sam's Love Me With A Feeling takes a rockin' shuffle with some vintage guitar riffs giving it a totally unique flavor. I Don't Want Cha is straight up Chicago with single line lead and rhythm answering every vocal call and Alvin playing a cool harp stretch in the track. Although there aren't any real long guitar solos, Wyatt really holds hos own on guitar throwing down some nice riffs. Pulling one of my favorites, James Brown's Please Please Please from the mix bag is a special treat. A number of bands will pull a JB track and play a hot guitar solo but The Blasters take it head on using James' arrangement and Alvin does a really cool job following in the footsteps of one of the all time greatest performers. Rock My Blues Away gets back into the jump blues groove and most contemporary bands have a difficult time competing with The Blasters at this game. Wyatt again demonstrates his clean guitar playing along with the already tight band. Maria Maria, a Davie Alvin composition, completes the package. This is a song written in the traditional Mexican style with Kid Ramos on Baja Sexto. I really like it.
This is an interesting outing from The Blasters and one that is certain to please existing fans as well as win them a healthy helping of new ones.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”
No comments:
Post a Comment