JASON RICCI & NEW BLOOD "DONE WITH THE DEVIL" Source: Big City Rhythm & Blues Date: 09/2009 Writer: Roger & Margaret White

 After his ground breaking release of “Rocket # 9” Jason Ricci has exorcised his demons and is “Done With The Devil”. He's building on the past while breathing new life into blues and has put to rest any preconceived notions about what constitutes blues. Any innovator needs other players to work with and against, to prod them forward and lead them to avenues they couldn't travel alone. The New Blood is that vehicle, his name may be up front but the music wouldn’t be possible without the collaboration of Shawn Starski's guitar, Todd Edwards’s bass, Ed Michaels drums and the songs they've crafted together. He also can't forget the literal fifth Blood, producer and engineer Phillip Wolfe adding guitar and keyboards on most songs.  Together the collective consciousness and the meeting of mind and soul with the guitar or bass copying Jason’s runs reinforcing the melodic lines as the rhythms drive the music to a new level.

The title song starts with a holler as the band jumps in with harp and guitar alternately taking control and rocking till that devil is done. The soulful warble of the harp and the light ring of the guitar makes “Sweet Loving” even sweeter as Jason professes his love for his baby. “Holler For Craig Lawler” has everyone jumping and jamming through the ensemble passages and taking extended solos on this lively tribute to a friend. “Broken Toy” stumbles in as a stand out, with heartbreaking personal lyrics, the weeping harmonica, and jazz influenced guitar will bring a tear to anyone who's ever felt himself an outsider. The truth sets you free and “Life Of Denial” is a rocker with a John Popper style harp and Shawn Starski's guitar drives the rhythm and his leads cuts through the din. Everyone in the band adds to mix of songs.  “How It Come To Be” written and sung by Shawn Starski's brings to mind early John Mayall in voice and playing. Todd Edmonds lays down the melody and rhythm for his “Ptryptophan Petodactyl” an instrumental where Jason's harp runs from mellow to metallic and Phillip Wolfe's electric piano eases in the groove for a breath taking solo by Shawn Starski followed by the synchronized leads of the band.  Drummer Ed Michaels supplies “Keep The Wolf From My Door” howling the vocals as the beat is knocking on that door, this is a new spin on classic blues with the harp and guitar screaming let me in.

The diverse covers are a story in themselves from the straight up blues of Willie Dixon  “As Long As I Have You” showing they haven't forsaken their roots, morphing into punk rock with Glen Danzig's  ”I Turned Into A Martian.” On the jazz standard “Afro Blue” Jason's harp with its effects pedals sounds like no other, and he even slips in a riff of “My Favorite Things”. They finish with Sun Ra's “Enlightenment” with its multiple harmonicas’ playing a dark sinister waltz over accordion and slide guitar. The band can play old, bold and blue but this New Blood really is New and they are out for Blood.