THE INSOMNIACS "LEFT COAST BLUES" Liner Notes by Scott Dirks

"The new generation of high-energy, authentic youngbloods
who have their own unique, soulful style."
– Randy Chortkoff, C.E.O. Delta Groove Music

Next time you hear someone say “The blues is dead,” or “Blues? Too depressing,” or “Blues is for old folks,” it is your solemn duty and responsibility to play The Insomniacs’ “Left Coast Blues” for them ASAP. The Insomniacs are a jumping, swinging blues band from the Portland, OR area led by 25 year old singer/guitarist/songwriter Vyasa Dodson, and they amply prove once and for all that all those tired clichés about the blues are dead wrong. The Insomniacs also put to rest a bunch of other misconceptions – that blues is all about endless, sweaty guitar noodling; that anyone who isn’t in the vicinity of retirement age can’t play blues; that no one is writing any good blues songs anymore.

The Insomniacs play blues that is derived from – or more accurately, distilled from – the modern masters of “the West Coast sound:” Hollywood F ats, Junior Watson, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, and others, but they neatly avoid the pitfall of sounding like they’re copying any one player or style. Leader Vyasa Dodson shows a musical maturity far beyond his years, and has carved out his own very distinctive style, both on guitar and vocals. Listening to him, you get the impression that he is not straining to impress anyone, or trying too hard to sound like something he isn’t, and yet it’s those very qualities that make his music so impressive and appealing. And while deftly throwing off swinging jazz-inflected guitar licks and warm, confident, and perfect-for-the-song vocals, Dodson – and the rest of the band – sound like they’re actually having fun. It’s one of those intangible, yet all-important aspects of this music that too many blues scholars and guitar wankers completely lose sight of, yet The Insomniacs are brimming with it.

Dodson is also one of the most impressive songwriters to emerge in the blues idiom in recent years. He’s got an ear for melody and catchy hooks that is all but absent from so much of what gets passed off as blues these days; he’s also got a way with words that calls to mind legendary blues wordsmiths like Willie Dixon and Willie Mabon. That’s some imposing company, but much like them, Dodson has developed a knack for finding a phrase or a line from everyday life that expresses an essential truth, and then building a song around it that expands, expounds, and enlightens – and usually, brings forth a knowing smile or two in the process.

And on top of it all, The Insomniacs are a real band, not just a group of soloists vying for space in the spotlight. Dean Mueller’s pumping bass and Dave Mel yan’s driving drums almost meld together into a single instrument – just about the highest praise you can give to a rhythm section. Alex Shakeri’s piano and organ are stunningly lithe, providing the perfect shading and texture when he’s supporting, and excitement when he’s soloing. The result is that each song is a fully realized musical tapestry with its own mood, feel, and color. And let’s not forget the swing…in a short time, these guys have established a well-deserved reputation for getting toes tapping, butts wagging, and dance floors bouncing throughout the Northwest.

It can’t possibly be easy to be this good – if it was, everyone would be doing it – and yet these guys make it all sound like they’re doing it just because they love it. And maybe that’s the secret. But the secret is out – The Insomniacs have arrived.

– Scott Dirks

“We would like to extend a special thanks to Randy Chortkoff and the staff at Delta Groove for waking up the world to the sounds of the Insomniacs and for keeping the blues alive. We are honored to be part of the Delta Groove F amily. We would also like to thank the many people, who without their help this CD would not be possible. We would like to thank Judi Dodson, L ynda and Dylan Mueller, Jim Wallace, SD Pickups (www.SDPickups.com), Dave "Possum" Stephens, Emma, and Jim "Opie" Kust.”- The Insomniacs