THE HOLLYWOOD BLUE FLAMES "DEEP IN AMERICA" Source: Elmore Magazine Date: 05/2010 Writer: Jim Hynes

Usually the West Coast has a laid-back connotation. The Hollywood Blue Flames provide some of that feeling here, but their original incarnation, the Hollywood Fats Band, serves up amazing frantic, Gatemouth Brown-like tempos on the live disc, Larger than Life, Vol. 2, which is included in this two-disc package, just as the two were combined on the 2007 Blues Award nominee, Road to Rio/Larger Than Life, Vol. 1. Please be warned however, that the live disc sound is not terrific but worth the listen due to the strength of the performance.

In some respects this music is similar to the other California super-blues groups like the Mannish Boys or the Phantom Blues Band. However, listening to the brilliant, late guitarist, Michael "Hollywood Fats" Mann is truly mesmerizing. Try "Read About My Baby" and "Jumpin' With Duncan." The core players from the original band: Fred Kaplan on piano, Al Blake on harp and vocals, Larry Taylor on bass and Richard Innes on drums are joined by Junior Watson and Kirk Fletcher on guitars to carry on the legacy as the Hollywood Blue Flames. Their studio cuts are well rendered with some refreshing humor found in "My National Enquirer baby" and "Jalopy to Drive". Together, the set comprises almost two hours to music, bridging both blues traditions and a contemporary approach. Let's hope there's more of the Hollywood Fats Band in the vaults, but in the meantime, try to catch the Hollywood Blue Flames on tour.There are all first-rate players with a deep feel for the blues, deep in America.