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THE LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES REVUE
Source: Music City Blues
Date: 02/2008
Writer: Sheryl and Don Crow. |
For several years, The Legendary Rhythm And Blues Cruise has put blues fans thisclose to their heroes on a big ol' boat cruising the Caribbean, creating truly a "blues festival at sea." Roger Naber, founder of this cruise, and Delta Groove Records have teamed up to give us landlubbers a taste of what we're missing with the release of "Command Performance." It's a stone party on a platter where the bands from the cruise play in various stateside venues, and the result is thirteen high-powered cuts from some of the best in contemporary blues.
The All-Star lineup includes guitarists Tommy Castro and Ronnie Baker Brooks, sax and piano siren Deanna Bogart, and J. Geils' harp-master supreme, Magic Dick himself. Toss in special guests Curtis Salgado, Marcia Ball, and Elvin Bishop, and this is a whale of a party, indeed!!
The cuts range from slow-slashers to good-time, crowd-pleasing stompers. Magic Dick nails his signature instrumental, "Whammy Jammer." Deanna Bogart shows off her vocal skills in a New-Orleans-flavored "Still he Girl In The Band." Ronnie Baker Brooks, son of Louisiana legend Lonnie Brooks, lets loose with his brand of funk-and-blues on a spirited read of "She's Nineteen Years Old," and "one for the ladies," the belly-rubbin' "See You Hurt No More." Tommy Castro is hittin' on all 8 throughout, swinging on the soulful "Lookin' For A Love," and "I Feel That Old Feeling Coming On." Marcia Ball adds a rhumba beat to the set's closer, a rousing "Sea Cruise."
Of particular note are the "jam" cuts. Everyone gets a chance to shine, including guest Elvin Bishop, on "High On The Hog," and Deanna Bogart's take on "Will It Go Round In Circles."
Our favorite, tho, was a cut where Curtis Salgado pays a cool tribute to Jimmy Rogers with "If It Ain't Me." Marcia Ball complements Deanna's piano, and backing guitar from Tommy and Ronnie give this one that "old-school" Chess feel.
Without doubt, The Legendary Rhythm And Blues Revue and "Command Performance" is the next best thing to being on that big ol' boat heading to blues mecca!
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