Peter Blewzzman Lauro on Chuck Van Riper and Dave Thomas About The Blues

Chuck Van Riper & Dave Thomas

"About The Blues"

Pitkethly Music

By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © September 2010

    

    "About The Blues" is the debut release by the duo of Chuck Van Riper & Dave Thomas.  Although the band is a true duo, by no means would I consider this release a duet.  You see, between them they play six instruments and sing as well.  On guitar, bass, trumpet and vocals is Chuck and on guitar, piano and lead vocals is Dave, with the drum samples written by Chuck.  On the project - a mix of electric and acoustic blues as well as a mix of blues styles - they're both responsible for all the original music.....and obviously lots of overdubbing.

    It took me all of three notes of the opening track to realize I was going to like this disc.  The song was "Free To Go" and those notes were from a scorching guitar riff that lasted the length of the track.  

    The title track is based on some poor soul's life that truly is all "About The Blues".  It seems that the lyrics of blues songs were written from him being followed and having his life written about.  Damn, that's sad.  This one features great lead and harmony vocals with good guitar and piano work from Dave.  

    This one is a slow, soft and absolutely beautiful love song about a couple that are a "Perfect Fit".  Dave's emotional and tender vocals make it sound as if he were singing the song to the love of his life.  If you have someone in your life who is that perfect fit, make sure you let them know - as a matter of fact, play this song for them.  Sensual guitar work is another of this tune's jewels.

    There will come a time in all of our lives - despite admitting it or not - where we just "Can't Rock No More".  You'll know it when you "can listen but - not take the floor" or when you "watch pretty girls shake it so nice, but joining them just ain't worth the price".  Besides being very clever, the lyrics will one day be all too true.  Great vocals and rhythm highlight this sing-along song. 

    "Please Don't Tell Me Now" is another of my many favorites.  The tears Chuck's guitar is weeping and the melancholy lyrics so sadly and soulfully sung by Dave are - to use the words of a previous song title - a perfect fit.  Great stuff!

    On "I'll Follow You", the guys actually had this usually non acoustic liking listener enjoying what he was hearing.  Dave's outstanding down home vocal style and Chuck's pickin' at the acoustic guitar strings have them sounding as good as any acoustic duo these ears have heard.

    Other tracks on "About The Blues" include" "Do You Know Who You Are?", "Mexicali Blues", "Get Outta My Way", "One Last Time", "Here Today, Gone Tomorrow", "When We Get Together"and "Look What I Found".

    Right about now you should be thinking you'd like to hear more from these guys.  That's why you need to go towww.abouttheblues.com and let them know.  Once you're there, also let them know the Blewzzman sent ya.

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com

A Note from Blewzzman regarding Robin Rogers health..

Hello to all my Blues Society contacts.



Below is a copy of an email that was forwarded to me by my friend Tom. It contains information about the serious situation Robin Rogers is involved with. I thought you might like to pass this along to your members.



Let's all hope for the best for her.



"The BLUES is my PASSION & THERAPY"

Pete the Blewzzman

www.Mary4Music.com





Hi Tom



Wish I had some good news to pass along but things are pretty rough. Robin

finished the tour with Debbie (8 weeks), was home 2 days, went to Europe with

Janiva and Thorreta Davis for a week, home 2 days, off to St Louis and a couple

other stops, back home and collapsed on the 18th. She was in ICU in very serious

condition until the 29th when she moved to a regular room. I spent a few hours

with her yesterday, and the Doctor was talking about her going home or to a

physical therapy center the next day. I left around 3PM and Tony called around 7

saying the internal bleeding had started again and she was back in ICU. Today

they transferred her to The Med in Charlotte and surgery is being scheduled now.

All this comes from her liver not functioning properly due to Hep C.



There are a couple benefits being put together in Charlotte and a medical trust

fund has been set up. Her new CD comes out this month and the planned release

party has been scrapped along with all tour dates for the rest of the year. A

bunch of DJs around the country are sending out mass press release to let

everyone know about the new disc and to tell them to go to robinrogers.com to

order. Maybe we can get some decent sales generated through the web site, cause

there ain't gonna be any sold from the stage for a while.



The girl is fighting her ass off right now and she has a very long and hard road

to recovery. I'll tell Robin and Tony you were asking about her. Wish I had

better news.



Mike

Whiteboy James And The Blues Express -Last Time Was The Last Time - Peter Blewzzman Lauro

Whiteboy James And The Blues Express
"Last Time Was The Last Time"

Rip Cat Records
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © August 2010




Whiteboy James And the Blues Express, a band that's self proclaimed as being "a detonative force not to be reckoned with" consists of: Whiteboy James on vocals and harmonica; Scott Abeyta on guitar; Blake Watson on bass; Max Bangwell on drums; and having absolutely nothing to do with the music at all, but certainly adding pleasure to the discs appearance - Bridget Blonde as the cover model.


Everything I'm reading about this band - the one sheet included with the disc, the liner notes written by Dan Jacobson of Southland Blues Magazine and quotes at the bands' website - all indicate that this is one hell of a band to catch live. Let's see if my ears will lead me to agree.


The opening track, "Chicken And The Hawk", immediately starts off in high gear and never lets up. This smoker is highlighted by wickedly wild rhythm from Max - on drums, and Blake - on what sounds like a stand up bass. Dancers, especially the swingers, will surely love this one.


The title track, "Last Time Was The Last Time" is one of several tracks which feature Whiteboy playing harp. As good as he is, I'm surprised there aren't a lot more of these wonderful harp highlights. The rhythm, as you'll probably hear me say throughout, is once again intense.


This instrumental is only 80 seconds long, but it's full throttle all the way. It could be that there was a "Fat Chance" the guys could go on at this pace much longer. I got out of breath just listening.


Being written by the guitarist, "T-Bone For Daisy" just so happens to feature some of the discs best guitar work. From the pen to the pick, this instrumental is all Scott. Slow, scorching blues, just the way I like it.


"Worried Life Blues" is another of what appears to be many well done tracks. Strong vocals from Whiteboy and hard driving guitar from Scott highlight this one. As a matter of fact, right about now I'm wondering how the heck I haven't heard of this incredible guitarist - who also happens to own the label - before this disc.


Untamed musicians, performing untamed acts on their instruments can only lead to one thing - "Untamed Melody". Track after track the Blues Express has continued to blow me away. This is another free for all instrumental led by "Mad" Max on drums and "Scorching" Scott on guitar.


"Shave 'em Dry #2" is another of the tracks that the "Parental Advisory" on the disc jacket applies to. On this one Whiteboy seems to take pleasure in graphically describing his sexual pleasures as well as patting himself on the back for his apparent superior ability in performing them. If you can hear past the lyrics on this one you'll experience some remarkable guitar chords from Scott.


Other tracks on "Last Time Was The Last Time" include: "By My Side", "Upside Your Head", "Reefer Man", "Don't Fuck Around With Love", "Keep It Clean", "Walk Around The World" and "Kiss Me When I Kiss".


From what I just heard, I'd have to agree with live show sentiments mentioned earlier. The guys are certainly talented enough, definitely entertaining enough and surely crazy enough to make me want to see them.


If you'd like to pickup a copy of "Last Time Was The Last Time", and I think you should, just go to www.whiteboyjames.com. While you're there, please tell the guys that the Blewzzman's hoping they make it to Florida someday.


By the way - and this might be a good idea for interested radio stations - there is a PG version of the disc available. Just ask the band for the details.

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com

Blind Willy - Willing to Crawl - Peter Blewzzman Lauro

Blind Willy

"Willing To Crawl"

Spec Records

By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © August 2010

    Blind Willy consists of: Doug Jones on vocals, guitar and harmonica; James Cook on bass and background vocals; Derek Mixon on drums; Johnny Neel on keyboards; Joanna Cotton on background vocals; Chris West on saxophone; Adam Jones on trombone; and Dan Cohen on guitar (1 track).  The disc is an EP which contains five outstanding original tracks.

    Doug may be "Living The Blues" but, as he happily states on this opening track, he's "not going down without a puttin' up a fight - 'cause he fells like rockin' tonight".  Atta boy, Doug!  Right from the get go the band gets into one of those toe tappin', head bobbin' grooves - led by the rhythm work of James, Derek and Johnny - and they lock it right in.  That, combined with the amazingly harmonic vocals and background vocals sung by Doug and Joanna, make this one hell of a track.  While writing this paragraph, it's a close call as to what my fingers hit more - the keypad or the replay button.  Excellent stuff!

    In order to get his woman back, Doug's not only man enough to let her see his teardrops fall, but he's also "Willing To Crawl".  The emotions relayed through his powerfully yet passionate vocals, leave absolutely no question as to his sincerity.  With a steady, intense organ background and a strong drum rhythm behind him Doug's at discs best as he squeezes tears out of his guitar as well.  

    "My Little Feelgood" is a heck of a party song.  As a matter of fact, there's quite a party going on in the background.  This one's highlighted by wind - hot wind and lots of it - Doug blowin' it into the harp and Chris and Adam blowin' it into their horns.  Add some hand clapping, lots of laughing and several people singing background and you've got a real smoker goin' on.

    "Leave The Light On" is an absolutely exquisite and sensually sung ballad.  About two thirds into the track Doug hits some notes that sent chills through my body.  I know there are literally thousands of beautifully sung love songs out there, but this one's got to be one of the best.  My apologies to the rest of the guys in the band - I know you're there, but I'm lost in the vocals on this one. 

    I'm sure the guys worked up a "Sweat" while recording this one, because they all sound on top of their game.  James, Derek and Johnny are at it again - serving up some intense rhythm, Chris and Adam are blowin' fire outta their horns, and Doug..... oh he's just up to his usual singin' the hell out of the song.  

    Even though it's an EP, I believe I may have just listened to the front runner in the 2010 "Blewzzy Award" competition.  Short of offering a money back guarantee, I am promising you that there won't be one second of this disc you will not love.  Go - right now - to www.blindwilly.com and get one (being an EP, it's priced right).  And while you're there, tell Doug the Blewzzman says "WOW!" 

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com

Pat Ramsey and The Blues Disciples - "Live In Key West!"

Pat Ramsey and The Blues Disciples
"Live In Key West!"
Snailworx Productions
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © August 2010


Prelude


It's a pleasure and an honor to have the opportunity to work with this posthumously released Pat Ramsey CD.  Besides being one of my favorite harmonica players and vocalists, Pat was also a very dear friend. It seemed like we bonded from the very first minute we introduced ourselves, at Alligator Alley, in Sunrise, FL.  That was ten years ago, and since then the club is gone and so is Pat. Although it saddens me that he won't be able to read these words, I'll always have a fond memory of Pat that will forever put a smile on my face. Following a Saturday night gig about 10 minutes from my house, I had Pat and the band over for a good old fashion Sunday afternoon Italian dinner, before they headed back to Tallahassee.  I swear, I never saw a bunch of skinny guys eat so much, and after we were done, Pat said it "was the best Italian food he's ever had." It's a compliment I'll never forget, especially since it came from the best harmonica player I ever heard.


"Live In Key West!" was recorded from Pat Ramsey and The Blues Disciples in Key West, FL shows during 2004. The band consisted of Pat Ramsey on vocals and harmonica, Dave Renson - Pat's band mate for over ten years - on guitar and Dobro,  Duane Waider on drums and John Wentzien on bass.


The sincerity in his voice, and the feeling he puts into his words, leads you to believe he really needs it when he says "Somebody Loan Me A Dime".   The first eight minutes of this eleven minute soulful ballad is all Pat - singing and blowing his heart out as he did so well. Of course, on a track this long you couldn't keep Dave quiet the whole time.   Some excellent crying guitar licks add to the melancholy mood.


Just saying the name of this track pretty much tells the whole story - "Whammer Jammer". Those two words should be listed in the dictionary with a description that states: "One hell of an ass kicking, all out free for all instrumental jam led by fierce and frantic harmonica playing." Did I make my point? I'm betting even Magic Dick and J. Geils would love this version.


One of the two original tracks on the disc, this one penned by Dave, is "Got Love If You Want It".   Coincidence or not, some of the discs best guitar work can be heard right here. Fueled by a hot rhythm, led by Duane on the drums, Dave tears it up on this one.


One of my favorite styles of harmonica playing is the type that Jimmy Reed made famous - that high pitched, sharp, piercing sound. On the cover of his "Honest I Do", Pat nails the sound. The smooth sound coming out of Dave's guitar and the mellow rhythm being produced by Duane and John, on drums and bass, make this a classic for a slow dance.


At the opening of "Dead Shrimp Blues" there's a three minute harmonica intro that could have been a song in itself. Then there are several vocal breaks where the band, at discs best, just locks into a groove that would have had me saying "lock the door and throw away the key" if I was in the room.  Great rhythm, great guitar leads, and great vocals make this the best version of this song I've ever heard.


Other tracks on "Live In Key West!" include: "Dog House Blues", "Jammin' In The Jungle", "Stingin' Stang", "Highway 49/Highway 61 Revisited" and "Last Night".


This is the part of the review where I always advise the reader to visit the artists' website - to purchase a disc, and to send my regards to the artist as well. Well, you can get the disc at www.snailworx.com, but the regards part won't be necessary.  My friend Pat already knows I'm thinking of him.


Epilogue


It's always been my opinion that Pat Ramsey was one of the artists that the blues community so wrongfully overlooked. How or why he never achieved the recognition he so deserved still baffles me.  Maybe his time is yet to come - here are some words from someone who believes that as well......


"The overall musicianship of the band was outstanding and Pat's vocals sounded like the real thing. I was very impressed by the dynamics, performances and song combinations of Pat Ramsey & The Blues Disciples. My label has just submitted this CD for Grammy consideration for Best Contemporary Blues Album."


Michael Lewis
Snailworx Productions


Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com