THE INSOMNIACS "AT LEAST I'M NOT WITH YOU"

The Insomniacs seemed to literally explode onto the scene out of nowhere in 2007 as a fully formed and functional unit delighting audiences with their joyous, yet highly contagious musical sound and irresistible sense of swing. Their self-produced debut release "Left Coast Blues" recorded in the living room of bassist Dean Mueller's house was quickly snatched up and issued on Delta Groove Music, hitting a peak position of No. 5 on the national Living Blues radio charts. Critical praise and industry recognition from the blues community soon followed garnering the band a 2008 Blues Music Award nomination for Best New Artist Debut, as well as a 2007 Muddy Award presented by the Cascade Blues Association for Best Contemporary Blues Act.

Since the release of "Left Coast Blues," the band has been racking up the miles on their Sprinter van and introducing their fresh take on West Coast Blues to festivals and clubs up and down the coastline and into the Mid-West, continually expanding their reach as they conquer new towns and add to their ever growing list of adoring fans. The Insomniacs have in the process stylistically filled a void left by many of the pioneers and practitioners of this uniquely left coast music who are either no longer with us, or have decided to move on and explore other avenues within the musical realm.

In October 2008, The Insomniacs were once again caught off guard as they were whisked into the studio by Delta Groove to record the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut on what was thought to be just another routine pass through town. Unbelievably the album was recorded in only two days! The band led by 27-year old vocalist/guitarist Vyasa Dodson, together with bassist Dean Mueller, keyboardist Alex Shakeri and drummer Dave Melyan, laid down an astounding set of material that had been finely tuned night after night out on the road over the last two years; only this time the band had the benefit of utilizing a professional recording studio for superior sound with access to a grand piano and Hammond B-3. Joined by special guests Al Blake, Mitch Kashmar, Joel Paterson and Jeff Turmes, The Insomniacs expand on their original intoxicating formula and deliver what is sure to become an instant classic. A recipe guaranteed to provide the band with many more sleepless nights as they now must answer the call and respond to the demands of fans waking up everywhere with those left coast blues!

W hen Jeff Scott from Delta Groove called and asked me to write some thoughts on the new Insomniacs CD, I said GREAT! No problem at all. Because I know them, have played on the same bill as them, and think that they are a TOUGH sounding band.

When I first heard this latest release, I was immediately impressed with the band's tightness. I guess that's what happens when a band tours day and night for two years straight (hence their name - The Insomniacs). Vyasa really is a triple threat: guitar player, singer and songwriter. No doubt he is one hell of a guitar player, but it is his singing on this that really knocks me out.

I am truly impressed by the title track "At Least I'm Not With You" - catchy melody, cool singing and a great hook. If you could have a hit in the blues world today, this should be a contender.

"Lonesome" - very cool...and nice touch having Big Al Blake guest on harp! I heard Vyasa used my old guitar, a 1950 Gibson ES-150. Well, not really my guitar...I mean I bought it from my dear friend Marco Savo, one of the best guitar players I know and a great person too. I acquired it from him around '96 and played it on several cuts on Kim Wilson's "My Blues" CD in '97. It later came into the possession of Al Blake after passing hands once again through Fred Kaplan. I sold it to Fred in '98. He refinished it blonde and then sold it to Al. Well, it sounds great! I recognized the sound right off the bat. Shouldn't have gotten rid of that one, and about 60 others!

"Broke And Lonely" - by one of my heroes, the late great Johnny "G" Watson. It has kind of a country meets New Orleans feel to it. Nice combo and the addition of Joel Paterson on steel, brilliant choice!

"Directly From My Heart To You" - real nice atmosphere to it, really has the feeling.

"She Can Talk" - another sharp effort with a real inventive and unique guitar solo.

These are just a few of the highlights for me personally. What can I say? You guys sound great! It's that young energy! Thanks for playing this music with verve, conviction and attitude. Oh, and by the way, congratulations on your 2008 Blues Music Award nomination for Best New Artist Debut and winning the 2007 Muddy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Act. After hearing this doozy, I think you better clear off some more space on your mantle for another one.

So to you; Vyasa, Dean, Dave and Alex: I wish you guys the best, and hope to see you soon. ATTN: Dave - Marco says he's got some sort of "sandwich" for you...knuckle?

Your friend, Junior Watson

I was honored to be asked to play the harmonica for the INSOMNIACS on their latest project for Delta Groove Music. It is rare these days to see young blues musicians come along who have the kind of vision and commitments to play this music and make a go of it like these guys are. I am impressed by their talents and their humility, as well as their ability to come up with a full album's worth of great material in less than two days in the recording studio. In today's world of music that is saying a lot.

It is a true joy to hear the influence the Hollywood Fats Band has had on these young blues musicians. And to that, I say, keep on rock'n - keep on keep'n on!

My blessings to you, Al Blake

All Songs Written By: (Vyasa Dodson) Ripping Glass Publishing, Delta Groove Publishing, Inc / ASCAP • Except: Track 1: (Peter Chatman) Pompadour Music Corp. / BMI • Track 2: (Johnny Otis, Johnny Watson) Fort Knox Music, Inc., Trio Music Company / BMI • Track 3: (Richard W. Penniman) Songs of Universal Inc. / BMI • Track 7: (Amos Blakemore) Bluesharp Music Co. / BMI • Track 9: (Lowman Pauling) Fort Knox Music, Inc., Trio Music Company / BMI • Track 11: (John Willie Henry) Henry Heritage Music / BMI

Produced by Jeff Scott Fleenor & The Insomniacs • Executive Producer: Randy Chortkoff • Recorded and Engineered by G. Preston Boebel (Clear Lake Audio, Burbank, CA - October 2008) • Mixed by G. Preston Boebel & Jeff Scott Fleenor • Creative Fulfillment President of Delta Groove Music: Robert Fitzpatrick • Track Sequence by Jeff Scott Fleenor • Mastered by Robert Hadley (The Mastering Lab, Ojai, CA) • Artwork & Design by Joshua Temkin • Photography by Ian Bondi (Studio 3, INC.) • Liner Notes by Junior Watson • Retail by Jeff Fleenor • Radio by Jody Best • Business Affairs by Malcolm Wiseman