I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Blues Don't Care by Frank Bang & The Cook County Kings and it's terrific! Opening with title track, The Blues Don't Care, Donnie Nichilo lays down a solid piano line joined by Bang on guitar and vocal, Brian “BJ” Jones on drums, Andre Howard on bass and Russ Green on harp. With it's classic Chicago styling, the band sets a great tempo with a solid bass line, Green's harp instincts and Bang's vocals. The Dream is possibly my favorite track on the release with what I'd consider Otis Rush and Peter Green styling. Bang settles right down in the groove with soulful vocals and rich guitar chords, reinforced by Green's harp work. He bust's loose with a gripping guitar solo that sets you back in your chair, eased back into vocals by glistening piano work by Nichilo. This track alone is enough to demonstrate why Bang has worked with Buddy Guy for 5 years. Masterful. Blues rocker, Till The Day I Die, has a solid bottom and an almost British blues sound. Junior Wells' track, Come On In This House, retains the spirit of the original but with Bang's own signature. His vocals are less emphatic yet hot and spicy. His guitar riffs are stinging,paired perfectly with Green's harp. Excellent. Super slider, Can't Find My Way Home, is hot with it's slow blues part and it's smokin rock part. Bang wields his guitar like a flame thrower accompanied by Green who fuels the fire with his harp. Hopward and BJ throw down some hot riffs of their own making this another very solid track. Magic Slim's Possum In My Tree has swagger to spare with a heavy bottom, raw vocals and choice harp work from Green. Bang slows things down a bit with cool Hendrix like riffs with distorted, wammy bar soloing. Excellent! Ray LaMontagne's Repo Man is up next with a super funky, New Orleans like guitar line and drum work. Green holds the track at gun point with his tight harp riffs and Bang's vocals ride high on the tune. Howard sets out a real nice bass solo joined first by Nichilo and then Green, BJ and Bang for a fade out. Very nice. Another funky track, Still Called The Blues, is driven by a cool bass riff and and snappy drumming by Jones. Bang steps up on vocals and then lets his guitar talk a while. Cool. Wrapping the release is AC Reed's Can't Go On This Way. A strong shuffle track reinforced by loping guitar work by Bang and sweet harp work by Green makes this a perfect closer for such a super release.
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