THE INSOMNIACS "AT LEAST I'M NOT WITH YOU" Source: Blues & Rhythm Magazine Date: 07/2009 Writer: Tony Watson

CD o’the Month

Following their debut CD, last year’s excellent “Left Coast Blues”, this band have come on in leaps and bounds, expanding their sound and increasing their repertoire, trying new numbers out on the road and honing their playing until they were ready to record, then going into the studios and knocking this new album out in a couple of days – just like it used to be back in the forties and fifties, which is where their style and sound stems from.

With more covers than their previous album, they breathe new life into versions of Memphis Slim’s “Lonesome”, Little Richard’s “Directly From My Heart”, Johnny Watson’s “Broke And Lonely”, Junior Wells’ “Hoodoo Man Blues”, the great Five Royales classic, “Baby Don’t Do It” and T-Bone’s “Description Blues”.

All of these covers aren’t just mere copies, but are given fresh treatments that update the sound of the originals without making them sound modern at all.  Their treatment of “Directly From My Heart” is a rare feat where a copy of Little Richard number gets anywhere close to being as good as the original, but this does, believe me!  “Hoodoo Man” is slowed down until it’s hardly recognizable, with lead vocalist/guitarist Vyasa Dodson sings his heart out whilst guest Mitch Kashmar wails away on classic harp.

Multi-talented Dodson wrote all the originals here, and displays all the wit and talent of a guy who knows what he’s doing whether it’s a pen in his hands or the much-traveled 1950s Gibson that he plays so devastatingly.  The album’s title cut is an absolute classic that ought to be a huge hit if that were possible in today’s scene.  The cut has all the feel of a 1950s blues or one of those great witty Charlie Baty/Rick Estrin numbers, with Dodson’s vocals sounding effortlessly powerful.

Other standouts are “She Can Talk”, that rocks and rolls along at furious pace with great lyrics and rollicking piano from Alex Shaker (look out Mr. Berry!), whilst “Angry Surfer” is a perfect recreation of those surfing sounds circa 1962/3 when Dick Dale, not the Beach Boys, ruled the West Coast Waves.  “Maybe Sometime Later” is another witty blues, as is “20/20”, although keyboardist Shaker, whilst playing exemplary Hammond organ throughout, plays perhaps just a tad too much organ for these steam-piano attuned ears!

Why is it that so many modern-day recordings just don’t sound as “delicious” as these guys get it, with their use of vintage instruments and recording techniques.  These lads have got it right!  Besides Dodson and Shaker, bass-player Dean Mueller along with Dave Melyan on drums complete the lineup, whilst guests include Al Blake (who also writes the sleeve-notes) on harmonica on “Lonesome”, Joel Paterson on pedal steel on “Broke And Lonely” and Jeff Tumes on devastating tenor and baritone saxes on several numbers.

The album’s closer is superb with Shaker’s boogie piano perfect Dodson’s fluid single string runs a-la Gatemouth Brown circa early 50s, whilst Tumes’ homs blast along behind, adding just the right big band jazz effect.

A band to look out for.  Until some enterprising promoter brings them across to these shores, we’ll have to be content with this excellent album.