Bob Lanza Blues Band - "Til The Pain is Gone - New release Review

I just received the newest release (January 14, 2014), 'Til The Pain Is Gone, from Bob Lanza Blues Band and it's quite good. Opening with Maude, Lanza shows his fine abilities as a guitarist, songwriter and vocalist. Backed by Reverend Sandy Joren (bass), Noel Sagerman (drums)and David "Snakeman" Runyan on harp, Lanza sets a solid groove andshows real flair on his riffs. Ed "Doc" Wall adds cool organ work on this track as well adding warmth to the bottom. Next up is I'll Take Care Of You, a slow blues number with stinging good guitar riffs and smokin tone. Lanza uses really nice guitar phrasing to emphasize his vocals and Doc adds understated organ t push Lanza's guitar work. Nice! On title track, 'Til The Pain Is Gone, an uptempo shuffle track with rock tendencies gives Doc a cool opening for harp and grinding Texas style guitar riffs to push the track to a hard driver. Snake Byte is a slick shuffle track with a cool swing. With Snakeman leading the way on harp and Sagerman keeping things tight this is a cool break instrumentally. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Outskirts Of Town where Lanza digs deep for some gut punching guitar riffs. His vocals are good and Doc keeps the bed musically while Joren steps up on bass. This 7 plus minute track really gives Lanza the chance to stretch and he doesn't waste a minute of it. Very nice! On classic I'm Ready, Snakeman plays some cool harp and Lanza lays down some articulated riffs. Every Night and Every Day has a solid bass line from Joren giving each of the crew a good opportunity to lay down some heat. Lanza, Snakeman and Wall all step up making this an enjoyable jam over a "Fool For Your Stockings" like bottom. How could you not like this! Build Me A Woman opens with a cool loping guitar riff and sweet guitar tone. With Lanza on vocal and Snakeman chiming on harp this is a cool track. If you like Texas style blues this is a good choice with Lanza not overplaying but taking the track to a frenzy. Sugar Sweet, another classic Chicago track, maintains the course with smart piano playing from Wall. Lonesome has a quiet approach with minimal backing, harp, piano and vocals. Light skillful guitar riffs nicely compliment the track. Our Life opens with boogie guitar riff and harp. Lanza is nearly acapella on vocal with acoustic guitar accompaniment. Mojo is a full on Chicago blues a la Muddy Waters. Snakeman and Lanza trade cool riffs and Lanza also shows some of his best vocals on the release. Nice job. Relaxed, enjoyable blues release with a few nice surprises.

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Here's a nice example of Lanza's work: