Blues Harmonica
Ace Steve Krase Sets April 21 Release Date for New CD, Should’ve Seen It
Coming, on Connor Ray Music
HOUSTON, TEXAS – Blues harmonica ace Steve Krase announces
an April 21 release date for his latest album on Connor Ray Music,
Should’ve
Seen It Coming, which includes special guest appearances from label
mates Trudy Lynn, Mark May and Bob Lanza. Krase will celebrate with several
Houston CD release shows, including Friday, March 24
at The Big Easy Social & Pleasure Club (www.thebigeasyblues.com) and Saturday, March 25 at
Martini’s Blu Café (
www.martiniblu1.com).
Steve will also perform at the “Houston Has Hart” show on Sunday, March 26 (4-8
PM), at Rockefeller’s, a benefit for the Blues Foundation’s Hart Fund that
provides health services and more for blues musicians nationwide. Several other
Houston area blues artists will perform as well, along with special guests and
a silent auction.
Steve Krase is well-known as the harmonica player behind
Trudy Lynn’s three incredible blues albums on Connor Ray Music. To those in the
know, Krase is a powerhouse in his own right as a performer, whose high energy
shows are legendary around the Houston scene. Krase has been recognized in
multiple categories over the years by the esteemed Houston Press
Music Awards in several categories, and most recently -and perhaps most
suitably - in 2016 as “Best Player.” Steve was also a semi-finalist at the
recent 2017 International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
Should’ve Seen It Coming is Krase’s 4th
for Connor Ray Music and follows his acclaimed 2014 release, Buckle Up.
It includes five original tunes by Steve and his cohorts, including his brother
David, bassist and co-producer Rock Romano and the late Jerry Lightfoot, who
was an early mentor to Steve. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Krase spent
10 years with Lightfoot’s “Essential Band” providing harmonica on three of
Lightfoot’s releases.
“As always I try to make a fun record that people want to
turn up loud at a party or crank it on the car radio on a long road trip,”
Krase says. “I was honored to be able to include great Connor Ray Music artists
Trudy Lynn, Mark May and Bob Lanza on this CD.”
Among the unique covers on Should’ve Seen It Coming are
Steve’s takes on music from Willie Dixon “(Crazy for My Baby”), Fats Domino
(“Let the Four Winds Blow”), and Clarence “Frogman” Henry (“Troubles,
Troubles”).
“The majority of this CD was recorded live over two nights
at the Red Shack in Houston,” states Krase. “I was lucky enough to be able to
include a couple of my Connor Ray Music label mates on this release, Trudy
Lynn, Mark May and Bob Lanza.” \
Steve Krase expands on the song list for Should’ve
Seen It Coming: “ ‘Brand New Thang’ is a groovy song written by ‘Dr.
Rockit’ Rock Romano that Mark May just owns on guitar! On ‘Crazy for my Baby,’
we loved Charlie Musselwhite’s interpretation and decided to add elements of
the Little Walter and Willie Dixon versions to it. For ‘Let the Four Winds
Blow’ - I’ve always loved Fats Domino, it was a just matter of deciding which
song. ‘The World’s Still in a Tangle’ is a takeoff of the Jimmie Rogers
original – the message being turn off the news!! ‘Shot of Rhythm and Blues’ is a Rock Romano favorite that I was
lucky enough to catch Bob Lanza while he was in town to add the killer guitar
leads. Wee Willie Waynes’ ‘Travelin’ Mood’ is an oldie but goodie. ‘Troubles
Troubles’ is a great tune by Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry that Randy and I just
rock out on. ‘Make You Love Me Baby’ was a staple of Jerry Lightfoot’s live
performances, ‘Foots’ taught me everything I know about this music and I try to
pay tribute when I can, including here, which is also a nod to another
inspiration, the late James Cotton. The Junior Parker version of ‘Way
Back Home’ was introduced to me by my dear fiend Trudy Lynn, who sings
background vocals on three of the album’s tracks. She wanted me to play something
mellow... sorry, Trudy! ’Should’ve Seen It Coming’ and ‘Repo Man’ are another
couple of songs from my brother David representing fictional crazy characters.
I like to think of ‘Repo Man’ as a blues song for 2017, as ‘Back Door Man’ is
no longer the biggest badass on the block! The two bonus tracks included on the
disc are explicit versions of the title track and ‘Repo Man’.”
“Steve Krase’s music is no holds barred and his songs are
meant to be listened to loud.” – Blues Blast Magazine
“Turn it Up!” – Steve Krase
