JASON RICCI & NEW BLOOD Source: Billtown Blues Notes Date: 06/2008 Writer: Bill Wilson

As diversified a sound as I have ever heard, I would have to consider Jason Ricci & New Blood among the current crop of jam bands, with definite leanings towards Jazz and Blues with more than a small touch of Funk and just about anything but the kitchen sink. About the time you think you’ve got these guys figured out, they throw you a curve. While perhaps not for the hardcore traditional Blues fan, there are certainly elements of that to be found here.

This is one of the tightest units I’ve heard…and certainly some of the best musicians overall. If you fancy yourself a fan of the harmonica, give this one a good listen. While the style may take a while to grow on you, there is certainly no denying the talent here. This is a show worth seeing. Jason Ricci & New Blood will be a force to be reckoned with for some time to come. This will, if nothing else expand your horizons.

Jason Ricci & New Blood

Rocket Number 9

With a style this widely varied, it is hard to put Jason Ricci in a box of any size or shape. His style is varied and his influences are far reaching, spanning through countless musical genres including blues, jazz, funk, rock, punk and even drawing inspiration from the current crop of jam bands, all while still retaining the stamp of his own style. The best I can do would be to say eclectic…extremely so. The band is tight as the proverbial gnat’s backside and can change directions on a dime. Ricci is one hot harmonica player vocalist and songwriter. He has surrounded himself with musicians who are equally talented and diverse. What I can say is that Ricci and company take the music in directions I could never have imagined…and I consider myself to have diversified tastes and a fairly active imagination. Whatever he is blending blends seamlessly. They consider themselves a jam band, and I would certainly not disagree. Your best bet…get out and see the band. Unless you are extremely closed-minded, you will be impressed. While this may not be your cup of tea, it certainly cannot and should not be overlooked. Jason Ricci & New Blood are in it for the long haul…incredibly talented musicians with a message that will be heard, one way or another. While extremely skeptical at first, they won me over…no easy task for a man who cut his teeth on the Blues classics. – Bill Wilson