FRANK GOLDWASSER "BLUJU" Source: Capital Area Blues Society Date: 03/2008 Writer: Steve Bachleda

I have to admit my first time through this CD I was kind of ho hum about it. The second time through, though, its sheer muscularity started to sink in. This is a hard grinding blues with a soul-rock edge. Frank handles the vocals and occupies the lead guitar chair. While bass, organ, and drums whomp along behind him, he spins out lines that refer to the past but are joyfully in the present. He prefers distorted screaming notes that stay just this side of obnoxious. But he’ll sweeten it up for songs which are inherently less aggressive. The band also boasts a classic horn section that shows up when it will help the song and will take a sax solo to grease things up and give Frank a few minutes rest. Call-and-response between Frank and Cynthia Manley and Jessica Williams also provides some occasional nice leavening. I have a soft spot for those female response vocals where they repeat what the singer just said and playing it straight but at a certain level it is very funny and you wonder how they keep from cracking up. The opening cut, “Feels Like Home”, features this kind of give-and-take and it is very cool. “Well, Well, Josephine” is a heavy vamp tune that seeps into your blood during your six minute ride. “Melba’s Bump” is a satisfying instrumental in the glorious Freddie King tradition. “I Can’t Stand It” clearly comes from the Robert Cray school of thought and Goldwasser’s vocals and guitar licks pay the proper tribute to Cray. “I’m A Love You” is a souped-up Jimmy Reed-influenced tune with nice, understated harp and superb backing vocals. This program is well-paced and varied and will enhance your blues library and provide a good time as well. Frank Goldwasser is a good ‘un and I expect we’ll be hearing more from him and his fine group.