Stony Plain Records artist: Duke Robillard - Blues Full Circle - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Blues Full Circle, from Duke Robillard and it's styling. Opening with Lay a Little Lovin' On Me, Robillard has lead vocals and the band is sets up a creep. Bruce Bears lays the ground work on piano, backed by Brad Hallen on bass and Mark Teixeira on drums. Robillard ealks in with a really nice fat guitar scream giving the track real attitude. Nice opener. On easy shuffle, Rain Keeps Falling, Bears and Robillard swap lead work under the vocal keeping it tight. Mourning Dove slows it down a bit and Duke plays some of his most expressive riffs of the release. Ouch! Back up to tempo, No More Tears, has a nice groove and Robillard steps out in style backed by Bear's organ work. Very nice. Jimmy Lewis' Last Night features Sugar Ray Norcia and his vocals are rich. Robillard's guitar work is clean and tight and Saw Gordon Beadle lays in some real nice sax work. On New Orleans saturated, A Fool About My Money Bears and Teixeira really set the scene with Bears taking an extended piano solo leading into a contained solo by Robillard. Quite a cool track with particularly nice vocals by Robillard. Kelley Hunt takes the floor on vocal and piano on The Mood Room. A rolling blues rocker, has strong bass work from Hallen and cool solos by Bears and Robillard. Very cool. Taking the tempo down a few notches, I've Got A Feelin' That You're Foolin' has a cool Tulsa country blues style and Robillard shows he knows this style well nice blues riffs throughout. Jimmie Vaughan's Shufflin' and Scufflin' features Robillard paired with Jimmie Vaughan on guitar. A real cool shuffle tune with Bears on organ, and the boys trading, it's Doug James who steps up with the grand slam on Bari sax. Very nice. Blues for Eddie Jones is a cool track about Guitar Slim. Bears' piano work nicely nighlights the scatter guitar riffs. Sweet. On jazz shuffle, You Used To Be Sugar, has a real nice groove pushed by Hallen's bass work and Duke takes a nice walk on the fretboard. On somber ballad, Worth Waitin' On, Robillard put's up some of his best vocals, carried by Bears, who not only sets the carrier but also plays a really nice organ solo. Wrapping the release is Come With Me Baby, a real nice low slung blues, with Robillard answering his vocal call with his guitar response. Saving the best for last, Robillard hits the groove square on with some excellent guitar riffs. Super closer for a cool release.



  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

Sweetspot Records artist: Al Basile - Mid-Century Modern - New release review

I just had the opportunity to review the newest release, Mid-Century Modern, from Al Basile and he's spot on. Sporting a who's who of musicians, Basile mixes blues, funk, rock and jazz for a real Mid-Century experience. Opening with Keep Your Love, Where's My Money, a slick new Orleans style track with a cool back beat, Basile and his crew, Rich Lataille, Duke Robillard, Bruce Bears, Doug James, Monster Mike Welch, Mark Teixeira and Brad Hallen set the club scene nicely. Basile sets a real nice table on cornet, complimenting his vocals and super stylized piano by Bears makes this track sing. Funky, Like You or Despise You, has a cool trumpet vamp by Jeff "Doc" Channonhouse and over a nice bass line by Hallen, Basile lays out a really cool cornet riff and Monster Mike's guitar work is slick. On Midnight Blue Persuasion, a straight R&B groove, Basile presents some of the top vocals on the release. This track has a real nice feel, like R&B from the 60's with his own cornet work on showcase. Tickle My Mule is a clever track with innuendo and I really like Monster Mike's guitar work on this track. Excellent! Really getting into the Louis Jordan swing thing , I've Gotta Have Meat, is  great track and the band is really cooking. Rich Lataille and Doug James really shine on this track with hot sax work. Funky, Like A Woman, , Like A Man features Duke Robillard screaming hot on guitar with Albert King like riffs. I love King and this track is hot! Blank Dog has a really nice groove with saxes a blazing and snappy drum work by Mark Teixeira. Nice trumpet work by Doc and excellent guitar riffs compliment Basile's soulful cornet work making this another super track. Shuffle track, Carry These Blues has great warmth and sports great vocals and cornet work by Basile, nice trumpet work by Doc, essential piano backing and some real nice guitar riffs by Welch. Swampy, No Truth To The Rumor, rides heavy on the back of Hallen, with Bears laying in some terrific piano lines and Basile's cornet hot spots. On light shuffle, Listen To The Elders,  Basile goes down more of a big band path with trumpet and sax work taking a stronger spot. James' work on bari sax is really hot and I always love Bruce Bears work on everything he does. Basile has a real nice hand with his cornet laying in just the right amount of seasoning. Soul track, Night Crossing, has strong radio bones with a funky bottom compliments of Hallen. Big Trees Falling is really nice and funky and Hallen is setting the pace. With Doc hitting the trumpet on rhythm, Basile steps up on cornet taking lead. Welch rips some really fat riffs over Bears clever piano riffs giving the track some really traction. Wrapping the release is Lie Under The House with Me, a quiet jazz track with an almost Miles feel. Basile takes some of his best horn rides on this track and Robillard sets up for a slam of his own on this one with nicely articulated guitar work. Calm and soulful, a nice closer for a different taste of blues.


  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

JP Cadillac Records artists: The Knickerbocker All-Stars - Go Back Home To The Blues - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Go Back Home To The Blues, from The Knickerbocker All-Stars and it swings! After reviewing thier previous release, Open Mic At The Nick I was excited to hear this new release and I'm not disappointed. Opening with with the ear catching, 36-22-36, Sugar Ray Norcia leads the way on vocals with really nice piano accompaniment by Al Copley. Powerful horn work from Doug James (sax), Sax Gordon Beadle (sax), Rich Lataille (sax), Doc Chanonhouse (trumpet) and Carl Querfurth (trombone) and Brad Hallen on bass and Mark Teixeira on drums this band is loaded! Willie J Laws takes the mic on You Know That You Love Me and Monster Mike Welch is super laying down terrific blues riff. Excellent! Brian Templeton takes the mic on Cadillac Baby for a real swinger. James plays a really sweet sax solo on this one and the horn section hold up the back. Very cool. Sugar Ray is back on lead vocal on Brand New Fool, with full strut. Copley's piano rhythm and strong horn backing balance the vocal nicely and a screaming sax solo as well as an extended piano solo cap the track. Willie J Laws has the lead vocal on Guitar Slim's Something To Remember You By and Monster Mike digs on Slim's riffs. This is one of my favorite tracks on the release with Mike really doing a nice job. Norcia really swings it on Take It Like A Man and another hot sax solo by James cooks it. Instrumental, Hokin', has a real nice feel with well blended horns and piano. If you like sax, this track is your ticket with warm sax runs end to end. Very nice! Al Basile takes the lead on Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Being Right, a jump track with punchy horn work. A cool cornet solo from Basile traded with a swinging sax solo, and tight drumming makes this another stand out track. Laws gets down in serious blues territory with He Was A Friend of Mine. Morganfield like delivery and solid horns fill the track but for me it's the strong guitar work from Welsh that makes this track tick. His phrasing is always heartfelt and clean. Solid sax soloing and piano riffs from Copley are also nicely executed. Excellent! Templeton does super lead vocals on title track, Go Back Home To The Blues. I really like Copley's piano work on this track and Welch adds some swingin riffs of his own punched up by the horn section making this one not to miss. Blockbuster Boogie is a great name for the next track with all horns coming out blazing. Trumpets take the high road and saxes and piano the middle really rocking this track. Excellent! Annie Get Your Thing On has a Latin flair and nice, excellent Albert King like guitar work from Welch. The track breaks into full "swing" and sexy sax work takes over. Breaking back to Latin rhythm, this track has great contrast. Wrapping the release is I Tried, with an Elmore James like opening and Laws on lead vocals. This track is an excellent closer with solid drive, clean horn and guitar riffs and pedal to the metal.

 

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Sweetspot Records artist: Al Basile - B's Expression - New release review

I just received the newest release, B's Expression, from Al Basile and it has a nice groove. Opening with Whole Lot of Good Good Lovin', a smooth blues with a laid back cornet and vocal lead from Basile and Duke Robillard setting on a real nice guitar lead. Mark Teixeira on drums, Bruce bears on keys and Brad Hallen on bass hold down the bottom. On swinging, It Wasn't That Good, Bears on keys, Doug James on sax and Carl Querfurth form a warm bed for Basile's vocals. Bears takes a melodic key solo and Robillard lays down a sporty jazz/rock solo of his own. R&B based, Not Like I Do, has a cool bass line from Hallen. With a bit of a funky hitch, Basile steps up with a really nice cornet solo. Very cool. Hi steppin, Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Being Right really rides on the solid trombone work of Querfurth. Soulful vocals from Basile are tops and Bears lays out a nice piano solo. Basile sets in a short cornet solo of his own but this track is really about the vocals. Funky, I'm Runnin' Late, has a great bass line from Hallen and James and Querfurth pump up the middle. I really like Basile's cornet attack/soloing on this track. Very nice! Have I Given My Best has an earth spiritual feel (Will The Circle Be Unbroken) with a soulful twist. Some of Basile's nicest vocals on the release, this track is an easy airplay. Another hi stepper, Never Good Enough, has a distinct Al Green feel. Querfurth and James really do a nice job of punctuating this track throughout and Robillard adds some cleverly placed blues riffs of his own. I particularly like his guitar solo on this track nicely blending the funky R&B feel with definite blues riffs. Excellent! Somethin's Missing has an easy funky jazz feel again nicely punctuated by the horn section. Setting itself up nicely for Basile on cornet, he takes front and center laying down a nicely articulated solo. An easy sway led by Querfurth and James opens Answer Me, with it's Fagen like vocals. Robillard again nicely fuses hot blues riffs into this fusion track and Basile has great tone delivering solo lines of his own. Very nice! Funky, I Didn't Come Here To Lie, has a hot bass line by Hallen and solid horn lines keeping the track grounded. Basile's cornet work is so casual and sweet it fits perfectly. Ballad, Even Jesus Fell, has a soulful feel with a swing. Based mostly on horn base and nicely executed key work from Bears, it's a nice showcase for Basile on vocal and nice melodic guitar soloing by Robillard. Super R&B track, That Ain't Bad, has a nice weave of funky bass, horns and stinging guitar. Basile knows how deliver the goods vocally on this best of show and his cornet work is tight. Sweet! Wrapping the release is You Know - You Don't Know is opened by jazzy riffs by Hallen on upright bass. A quiet soothing track with carefully dabbed brushstrokes of cornet, piano, trombone, sax and guitar make this a masterful conclusion.


 

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Delta Groove Music artist: The Henry Gray / Bob Corritore Sessions - Blues Won't Let MeTake My Rest - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Blues Won't Let Me take My Rest from Henry Gray and Bob Corritore. Featuring 10 previously unreleased out of 14 included tracks, this release features not only Gray and Corritore, but many other of the greats in recent blues history. Opening with Let's Get High, a great piano shuffle with Gray on lead vocal backed by Willie "Big Eyes" Smith on backing vocal and drums and Corritore on harp, this is a great opener. Gray's vocals on Blues Won't Let Me Take My Rest are a stark contrast to Clapton but this is real and Gray's piano with Corritore on shielded harp, Bob Margolin and Johnny Rapp on guitar and Chico Chism on drums, this sounds a lot like Muddy's band. New Orleans flavored boogie, I'm In Love Again features a cool harp riff by Corritore and hot guitar riffs by Rapp. Robert Jr Lockwood is featured on vocal and guitar on Robert Johnson's Ramblin' On My Mind, one of my favorite tracks on the release. Big Maceo's Worried Life Blues, feature Nappy Brown on lead vocal but Gray's piano work is solid and unmistakable. Gray is in top form on vocal on They Raided The Joint, joined by Kid Ramos on guitar, Corritore on harp, Paul Thomas on bass and Chism on drums. Very cool! Dave Riley takes the lead vocal spot on Ride With Your Daddy Tonight joined by Chris James on guitar, Yahni Yiley on bass and Eddie Kobek on drums. Corritore and Gray both do really nice jobs on this track making it one of the strongest instrumental tracks on the release. Lowell Fulsom's Trouble Blues, has a great feel with Rapp laying down some real nice slide over Gray's killer piano and vocal work. Excellent! Shuffle track, I'm Gonna Miss You, keeps Gray up front on piano and vocal. With extended harp work from Corritore, Steve Cushing on drum and, Paul Thomas on bass this track, Rapp steps up again with some pretty cool riffs on guitar. John Brim's That Ain't Right features Brim himself on the mic backed by Troy Sandow on bass and Big John Atkinson on drums. Corritore keeps up the heat but this track really shows how nicely Gray can hit the groove on piano. Ernest Lawler's Can't Afford To Do It has Gray back on lead vocal backed by Little Frank, Danny Michael and Big John on guitar, Sandow on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. One of the hottest tracks on the release is Boogie Woogie Ball, really giving Gray the open door to rock it and he really does. Corritore has strong continuity on harp throughout the track, Kirk Fletcher it tight on the beat with hot riffs backed by Patrick Rynn on bass and Brian Fahey on drums. Very cool! On laid back Honey Don't Let Me Go, Gray has the full focus with lead vocal and piano. Backed by Rapp on guitar, Thomas on bass and Cushing on drums, Corritore steps in for a nice harp solo balancing out the track nicely. Wrapping the release is BB King's She Don't Move Me No More featuring Gray on beautiful piano and lead vocal. I especially like Corritore's riffs on this track as well as Rapps tight guitar solos. Paul Thomas on bass and Chico Chism on drums round out the line up.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Robin Banks - Modern Classic - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Modern Classic, from Robin Banks and it has an appeal all it's own. I've listened to this a number of times now and it has a clearness and clarity that is rarely heard in today's music. Opening with A Man Is Just A Man, Banks demonstrates the clarity of her voice and also her intentions of making a album of music that came out of a '57 Chevy. It has that kind of simple human quality. Superhero is a easy bop with really nice guitar work from Duke Robillard. Again the sound is early sixties pop. I Really Dig You goes back even a bit further to possibly Dinah Washington and that early pop jazz sound. Bruce Bears on keys and Robillard spice up the track with clarity and swing and Mark Early lays out a real nice sax solo as well. Crazy has some really cool guitar effects and Doug James really lays in some nice Bari sax. Mark Teixeira keeps the rhythm tight giving it a nice sparkle and again Early steps up and kicks it! My Baby Loves Me has a real nice easy swing and Doug Woolverton hits the muted trumpet. The bluesiest track on the release is also my favorite and possibly the best demonstration of Banks vocal style. Robillard lays down some really nicely articulated guitar solos and Doug James bottom supplied sax is tops. A Little Bit Of Heaven has a Latin feel with Teixeira coaxing pure rhythm out of the track. Bruce Bears riffs sound like they were born in Cuba and Banks is spot on vocally. Robillard lays in a light fingered Latin guitar solo and Brad Hallen takes on the lead instrumentally with Bears as the track steps up to full swing. I'll Meet You There has an Al Green R&B feel but with more southern soul vocals. Early again steps up with a hot sax solo and Banks vocal duet and Woolverton on trumpet gives it that Memphis sound. Bears opens Tonight with spy piano riffs and Banks gets into that pop jazz swing. Bears and Robillard trade instrumental lead on this track and even Hallen and Teixeira get into the action. Cool! Bite Your Tongue has that good southern funky soul with horn punctuation. Bears takes a hot organ solo and Robillard throws down as well. A sassier vocal style on this track really lends itself nicely to the styling. On boogie track, You Boogie Too Fast For Me, Bears and Hallen give the boogie a ride. A slick piano interlude by Bears adds significantly to the overall feel. Ballad, A Place In The City, finds Bears delivering a gospel or Robbins if you will, piano style giving the track a country sound. Robillard lays down some double stop guitar work that even more enforces the overall country sound. Wrapping the release is Some Day Soon, another pop jazz track with Banks swinging out. Bears is light and bright on the keys and Teixeira on brushes allows the warmth of Hallen to come through having the feel of a true jazz trio (quartet with vocal). This is a different kind oof blues for a lighter listen but I believe that there is a strong audience out there for exactly this.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Sweetspot Records artist: Al Basile - Woke Up In Memphis - New Release review

I just received the newest release (May 20, 2014), Woke Up In Memphis, from Al Basile and it's a giant bowl of R&B and soul. Opening with Yesterday You Left, a poppy R&B track with solid sax contributions from Rich Lataille and Doug James and cornet and vocals from Basile. Duke Robillard plays a plucky solo on this track supported by Bruce Bears on organ, Mark Teixeira on drums and Brad Hallen on bass. Don't Make Me Beg has a super feel with Basile really getting in the groove vocally. A loose and airy cornet solo followed by a tight guitar riff from Robilard tops this track. When Things Get Tough is a straight up R&B pop track. One More Stone In The Pitcher has a really nice feel along the lines of Al Green with warm vocals and well balanced horns and keys. Bears takes a real nice organ solo on this track also letting the door open for Basile to follow with a really melodic solo of his own on cornet. Title track, I Woke Up In Memphis, is a quick paced almost spiritual track also featuring Robillard playing some finger picked guitar and punctuation from Basile on cornet. Jimmy & Johnny has a traditional Memphis ballad sound and a catchy melody. I particularly like the rich guitar work of Robillard on this track. Saved By The Blues has a great strut with horns pushing the way. Basile's vocals are well integrated and soulful. Both Robillard and Basile lay down some nice solos on this track. Nibblin' Through The Fence is a nice easy ballad with tasty little riffs by each player. Make A Little Heaven features Sista Monica Parker on vocals and classic Memphis horn work making this a nice pop R&B track. Too Tough has a really distinctive swing and Basile really capitalizes on it both vocally and instrumentally. Possibly my favorite track on the release, Robillard really steps it up with a great bluesy guitar solo over bears on organ and Basile also does some of his strongest cornet work on this track as well. Nicely done. You Choose Me is another stand out track with a strong strut. Basile's vocal strength is supported by solid horn work by his own cornet work and of course the work of James and Lataille. Drummers never get the pats they deserve but Teixeira really keeps a tight ship on this release. The release is wrapped by Masked Man, a funky R&B track allowing some of the most effective soloing by Basile on the release. Robillard also hits a nice groove on this track of course supported by Bears, Teixeira, Hallen, James and Lataille. This is a cool release capitalizing on the R&B styling from Memphis and I think that he does a nice job of pulling in cool blues, jazz and rock influences for a unique package.  

If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

  This video is not from the current release but representative of Basile's work.

Delta Groove Music artist: Bob Corritore - Taboo - New release Review

I just received the newest release (April 15, 2014), Taboo, from Bob Corritore and I have to say it's absolutely spectacular! I won't have to review this in my car a month from now to know whether I will like it next time around. It is simply that good! Living in the Phoenix metro area for a long time, I have seen Corritore many times and been to his famous blues club, The Rhythm Room many times as well. I have to say that this is surpasses every live performance that I have ever seen Bob do, and will easily make it into one of the must have releases of the year. This all instrumental, yes, all instrumental release opens with Potato Stomp, a cool Chicago style blues track with Junior Watson on guitar, Doug James on sax, Fred Kaplan on keys, Kedar Roy on bass and Ray Innes on drums. Corritore is forward in the mix and playing strong. A nice sax solo leads to a stutter stepped guitar solo from Watson. Excellent! Many A Devil's Night, one of my favorite tracks on the release has a real bluesy ballad feel to it. Corritore really hits the note on this track and Junior Watson plays some really outstanding riffs on this track. Kaplan lays down some mean keys and it's not just filler. This is the real deal guys. Harmonica Watusi pretty clearly describes what you might expect. Corritore grabs that famous tone and bouncing against Kaplan they get a good groove on. Slamming guitar riffs ... surf style give this track a fun feel and is a cool sorbet cleansing the palate for the next bite of blues. Taboo  is a quiet tune with understated harp and beautiful light guitar chords with tom tom. This song has that 50's soundtrack feel and I really like it. This release really is excellent! Harp Blast is a straight off Chicago boogie. Corritore is leading the way with great harp work and supported by solid work from Kedar Roy. If this doesn't get your foot stompin... get someone to check your pulse. Mr. Tate's Advice is a really nice Chicago style number with Corritore again taking a strong position with some of the clearest harp playing I have heard in a long time. James keeps a strong horn riff going under the melody and also plays a tight solo to be reckoned with. Papa John supports the bottom with organ and Dowell Davis plays clean articulate drums as well. Jimmie Vaughn lays down some really tasty guitar riffs on this track trading off with DeFrancesco on keys leading back to a unified ending. Really nice! 5th Position Plea has a slower blues gate and smooth T Bone Walker like guitar riffs from Watson. Corritore lays down some less conventional harp sounds that give the track a whole different feel and Kaplan really does a nice job on piano. This track is a slow burner.... yeah! Fabuloco has a bit of Latin rhythm mixed into the track giving Corritore a clean slate to solo over. A bright little blues track with spunk. Shuff Stuff is a hot shuffle track with a solid bottom. Corritore blows a mean harp on this track and Doug James is right on his tail. Fluid guitar riffs are the name of the game for Watson on this one and the boys pull it together Chicago style for the big ending. (Looking forward to see what Stilladog thinks of this one.) T-Town Ramble has a strong Morganfield feel a Corritore shows he's definitely one of the big boys. Great tone and muted amplification make for a great sound leading to a nice clean piano solo from Kaplan. Wrapping the release is a down and dirty Bob's Late Hours. Watson lays back on guitar with Kaplan on piano laying a bed of music for Corritore to play the blues. This is really a strong showing for Corritore. I believe that he has never been captured at full potential and that this recording will do a lot to elevate his acknowledgement as one of the best blues band leaders today.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Goin' Back To California - Doug James and Sax Gordon

Doug James had for over 25 years been one of the key ingredients in "Roomful of Blues". Nicknamed Mr. Low (Baritone Sax), Doug was the anchorman of their great horn section which included Greg Piccolo, Porky Cohen, Rich Latille, Bob Enos, and others. Doug James can be heard on "Roomful of Blues" many albums beginning with "Roomful of Blues: The First Album".

When Greg Piccolo left "Roomful of Blues" in 1995, he was replaced with Gordon Beadle (Tenor Sax). Doug James and Gordon Beadle appear together on the 1996 release "Porky Cohen (with Roomful of Blues): Rhythm and Bones". Gordon's stay was short however as he left to join "The Duke Robillard Band", Duke being the original founder of "Roomful of Blues". Two years later Doug James also left "Roomful", he and Sax Gordon are together again on "The Duke Robillard Band: Explorer". Doug James has since become Gordon's replacement in Duke's Band as Gordon often performs as part of "The Love Dogs".

Gordon Beadle can be heard on his own release "Sax Gordon: You Knock Me Out" which features Doug James. Doug also has his own, "Doug James: Blow Mr. Low", which includes Sax Gordon. They both are part of the "Providence Horns" and appear on "Sugar Ray Norcia: Hands Across The Table". As a result of their projects they have numerous Handy and Grammy nominations.

This album, independently produced, includes twelve original instrumentals. The band features themselves and Matt McCabe, piano; Marty Ballou, bass; and Mark Teixeira, drums. Guitar chores are divided between Duke Robillard, Ricky "King" Russell and Mike DiBari. The album swings through fifty minutes of raunchy rhythm and blues as these two guys prove they are the best "Two Horn" section in the business.

The co-written "Can't Stand Up" starts out like a duel between saxophones, then on the chorus these two blend as one. Matt McCabe is perfect pounding on the eighty eights. "Cool Dude" written by Sax Gordon squeals and squawks. Doug James's "Goin Back to California" is like film noir. The "Bump" feels like an old dance craze. An additional eight wild instrumentals follow. The album, recorded at Duke's Mood Room in Pawtuckett, RI is an infectious display of an era gone-by when the saxophone was "king". For those who are fans this album is a must have.
If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”