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THE
HOLLYWOOD BLUE FLAMES "ROAD TO RIO"
Source: Blues Critic
Date: 06/2006
Writer: Dylann DeAnna
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***
"Road To Rio"
Hollywood Blue Flames
** 1/2
"Larger Than Life" Hollywood Fats Band
Certainly in terms of quality, California-based
Delta Groove productions is kicking the proverbial
tush of Alligator Records, one of the more popular
Blues labels producing Blues/Rock. The label has
been steadily churning out top flight roots &
Blues the last several years. Further proof is
The Hollywood Blue Flames, who arose from the
wreckage of the legendary Hollywood Fats Band,
(the "Hollywood Fats Band" LP released
in 1979 is considered a classic by many Blues/Rock
aficionados). Following Fats' premature death
in 1986 (32!) bassist Larry Taylor, former Canned
Heat drummer Richard Innes, pianist Fred Kaplan
and Blues harpist Al Blake went on to amass an
impressive list of credits leading up to the formation
(or reformation) of the Blue Flames. Fats was
replaced by an equally skilled Guit-fiddler named
Kirk "Eli" Fletcher. Their 2005 album
"Soul Sanctuary" helped earn them "Comeback
Of The Year" honors from various Blues associations
and here we are in 2006 and this two-disc package
is another handsome package from Delta Groove.
Disc one, "Road To Rio", is a brand
new studio set by the Flames while disc two, "Larger
Than Life", consists of previously unreleased
live recordings of the original Hollywood Fats
Band! To be honest- and no disrespect intended-
the addition of Fletcher means nothing is missing
from the original incarnation for Fletcher is
one of the better pickers of his day. In my estimation
he is under-used on "Rio". Jr. Watson
gets more spotlight than Fletcher by appearing
on three "bonus tracks". Irregardless,
Blake's harp takes center stage on most tracks.
He's a heckuva harpist and this is a helluva group
of musicians so one can forgive there's five instrumentals
on this fifteen track LP. Kaplan's piano is showcased
on "Gumbo Grinder", his Hammond B-3
on "3rd Degree Burn". Blake's harmonica
shines on "Dr. Blake's Boogie" &
"Honeydripper". But he's humble enough
to allow Kim Wilson to blow on "Gone Away".
Taylor and Innes provide flawless rhythm throughout.
Thusly, "Road To Rio" is a sturdy, albeit
unoriginal, set of authentic Blues augmented by
better-than-average players. The key cut being
"Steady Rollin'", especially when it
settles into a nearly hypnotic groove with fantastic
solos by Fletcher. A close second being the steady
rollin' T. Rex-like boogie "Road To Rio".
"Larger
Than Life" gathers material from Hollywood
Fats Band dates recorded in 1979 & 1980.
Not surprisingly, the sound quality does not
hold up throughout. The instrumental "Fats
Fries One" shows why the guitarist is revered,
"Nasty Boogie Woogie" even features
Fats on vocals, but "Baby Let's Play House"
is a low-fi audience recording that the disc
could do without. Then two sterling tracks with
Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson and one with
Roy Brown make you quickly forget! Of course,
the presence of these two strong vocalists underscores
how unremarkable Blake's own voice was at the
time. He's greatly improved over the years.
The remainder of the live tracks are passable,
if unspectacular, and more interesting as a
historical snapshot than a listening experience. |
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