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THE
HOLLYWOOD BLUE FLAMES "SOUL SANCTUARY"
Source: Southland
Blues Magazine
Date: 03/2005
Writer: Jim Santella |
The
Hollywood Fats Band, renamed The Hollywood Blue Flames,
features the same, modern blues spirit that Hollywood
Fats engendered in his brief career on the local scene.
His passing in 1986 at the age of 32 left a vacuum in
the field that hurt us deeply. Original band members
Al Blake (vocals and harmonica), Fred Kaplan (piano
and organ), Larry Taylor (bass), and Richard Innes (drums)
have reunited to bring back the band’s soulful
blues sound. Fiery guitarist Kirk "Eli" Fletcher
adds to the band’s texture with a spirit derived
from the memory of Hollywood Fats.
Performing fresh originals, the band lopes comfortably
with an unbeatable rhythm and pouring emotions. Soul
Sanctuary rambles with a casual air, featuring Blake’s
vocal-like harmonica and Fletcher’s fluid guitar.
The band’s instrumentals settle in gracefully,
bringing a smooth blanket of soft satin over the room.
Blake’s vocals on fresh numbers such as "My
National Inquirer Baby," "Nit Wit" and
"Black Cat Bone" give the session a hearty
spirit. Kim Wilson joins the band for "You’re
Sweet," taking the things back to blues roots that
go deeper than the 30 years since they’ve been
working together. Their reunion comes to the local Southland
blues scene with welcome arms and ears wide open. |
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