I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Calling Long Distance, from The Hitman Blues Band, and it's a good mix of contemporary blues. Opening with title track, Calling Long Distance, "Hitman" Alexander on lead guitar and vocal sets the pace with solid slide, driven by Bob Stander on bass and backing vocal and Guy LaFountaine on drums. With Mike Katzman on keys and a full compliment of horns like John Kelly on alto sax, Tom Mineo on tenor sax, Eric Altarac on trumpet and Al Alpert on trombone and Joanna Alexander and Nancy Hampton on backing vocals, this is a cool opener. Blood Alley is a cool driver with a taste of 60's surf music featuring keys by Katzman, and Kelly wailing on sax while swimming in the sea of reverb soaked guitar by Hitman. Very cool. Low slung shuffle, Side Pocket For A Toad, has a great feel with sweet blues riffs by Hitman and punchy horn work by Kelly, Mineo, Altarac and Alpert. Foolish Pride is one of my favorites on the release with strong guitar phrasing by Hitman, reminiscent of BB King on Thrill Is Gone. His vocals are soulful and work really well with his fluid playing style. Bluesy ballad, Back To The Blues, puts me in mind of Gary Moore but more from a feel and phrasing styling than anything else. A real nice sax solo by Kelly balances nicely with Hitman's vocal/guitar work making this the most likely radio track on the release. Another favorite track on the release is jump track, Watch That Thing with a great off lead drum accent, lively vocals and a slick guitar riff by Hitman and excellent trombone solo by Alpert. Wrapping the release is Wide Old River with heavy tom tom work by LaFountaine setting the pace. With deep vocals by Hitman and Porter and nicely stylized key work by Katzman, rich horns and slide by Hitman, this is a strong closer.
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