THE INSOMNIACS "AT LEAST I'M NOT WITH YOU" Source: Blues Rag | Baltimore Blues Society Date: 08/2009 Writer: Bob Coffey

Their debut recording garnered a Blues Music Award nomination for “Best New Artist”, this disc should yield at least one “Song of the Year” nomination.  Guitarist/singer Vyasa Dodson penned eight of the thirteen cuts here.  They all have a classic 50’s R&B feel.  I was sure “At Least I’m Not With You” and “Maybe Sometime Later” had to be from Johnny “Guitar” Watson or Guitar Slim.  While Johnny Otis/Johnny Watson composition “Broke And Lonely” is the onlydirect tie, Dodson appears heavily influenced by both in his writing and vocal style. 

Little Richard’s “Directly From My Heart To You” is deliciously slathered with guest Jeff Turmes saxes and New Orleans grit.  “She Can Talk” is an original rocker that would have worked on any Little Richard disc.  Guest harpist Al Blake adds flavor to Memphis Slim’s “Lonesome” over the chug and swirl of Alex Shakeri’s B-3.  Mitch Kashmar adds harp to a solid rendering of the Junior Wells classic “HooDoo Man Blues.”  “Baby Don’t Do It”, from the 5 Royals is the kind of tune that we seem to know before hearing it, a confluence of doo-wop, early rock and R&B, where you have to sing along.  “Angry Surfer”  is a rockability esque rave up.  T-Bone Walker’s “Description Blues” is the only slow standard blues and it gets the eight minute tour-de-force treatment.  An outstanding effort from one of the hottest young traditionalist acts around.