THE INSOMNIACS "LEFT COAST BLUES" Source: Music City Blues Date: 09/2007 Writer: Don Crow

     The Insomniacs are an eye-opening foursome, indeed.  Winning awards from the Cascade Blues Association in their native Portland, OR and gigging relentlessly throughout the Pacific Northwest, they have just released their debut with Delta Groove Records, "Left Coast Blues."  It's full of danceable shuffles and cool, old-school R'n'B, with a nod to the sounds of the Fifties, but with a modern spin.

     Vocals and guitar are handled by Vyasa Dodson, while Dean Mueller is on bass, Alex Shakeri is on keys, and Dave Melyan is on drums.  Dodson draws a lot of his style from purveyors of the West Coast jump-blues guitarists such as Junior Watson and Little Charlie Baty.  His fat, clean tone is the perfect vehicle for the swingin' blues these fellows lay down.  And, clever, crafty original songwriting is another of their major strong points.

     Check out the loping lead lines and smooth organ work in "Wrong Kind Of Love."  Vyasa's lover is so strong that she's reduced him to nothing but the "Stuttering Blues!"  And, even tho he can't "sing, dance or romance," he sho' nuff can FINANCE, as he tells us in "I Got Money!"

     Our favorites literally jumped right out of the grooves, tho.  A man who's been on the road a little TOO long and in dire need of companionship is comin' home and fully intends to "Shake The Chandelier!"  And, Vyasa's rapid-fire licks and vocals are reminiscent of Little Richard on "Watch Your Mouth," complete with a raucous piano solo from Alex Shakeri.