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Blues & Co. #23
Blues
and CDs
Tonton
Ericks selection
When he gets a hold of a good one, old Tonton won’t let go, a real
pit bull…The prize of the moment is The Racky Thomas Band
(mentioned in the last edition)…
"Last of
The Big Spenders"
"Troubled
All The Time"
All right guys, no kidding, like they say where I’m from, a couple
of gems those two cd’s are, a real treat; and choosing one over
the other? Impossible! So there you have it, the cd’s of the
season (not counting the live gig. See B&C 22)!! George
Radcliffe “Racky” Thomas “breathes” the blues, the real thing, the
delta blues, or Chicago blues from the 50’s, and yet he got into
the Blues relatively late in his young career. So it must mean
that he’s really a gifted devil…he’s got all of an old Bluesman.
The first album, “Last Of The Big Spenders” is a savvy mix of
Jump, Boogie, and Chicago classics, all performed in a daring
range, and without nets, by a band of crazed musicians who won’t
let you catch your breath. From the “jumping” guitar player Nick
Adams, to the booster bassist Todd Carson, nothing is left to
chance; pianist Mark Stevens plays a hell of a boogie, and it’s
all anchored by some high class drumming.
And what about the boss in all that? Not to worry, whether on the
harmonica, where he’s right on, or singing (a touch perfectible),
Mr. Racky drives the whole thing with ease, especially as he
himself wrote 8 out of the 12 songs.
The second album, “Troubled All The Time”, is even finer (normal
right since it’s the second one), slightly reminiscent of the
first one but a bit more in the Chicago style. The sound is
fuller, more flexible, kind of like a Layon. Our man Racky, who
wrote 11 of the 13 tunes, has improved his voice, a rough voice of
a veteran; his harmonica is impeccable, and on top of it. He
turns ‘national’ and throws you some roots blues that’ll send
chills down your spine. He even ends with a high-class ‘John The
Revelator’ Sung a capella. The band changed a little with the
addition of ‘destroy’ pianist Jeremy Berlin and Jon Ross on
drums. Troy Gonyea handles the guitar on the first three tunes
along with Dave Haley. Adams takes care of the rest, and let’s
not forget the phenomenal Todd Carson on bass.
Quite a
treat to Tonton’s ear! So my loyal reader, are you still
wavering??
Don’t miss
on
www.bluebeat.com
Translated
from French by Brigitte D. Blas
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