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PHANTOM
BLUES BAND "OUT OF THE SHADOWS"
Source: Real
Blues Magazine
Date: 12/2006
Writer: A. Grigg |
This
is quite a CD but then again, this is quite a
band; Denny Freeman (the legendary Texas guitarist
who epitomizes tasty licks), Joe Sublett (veteran
Texas tenor saxman whose ‘fat’ horn
can be heard on dozens of great recordings), Tony
Braunagel (a drummer with a huge reputation),
Darrell Leonard (the first-choice trumpeter in
Hollywood), Johnny Lee Schell (a guitarist/vocalist
who is one of those ‘best-kept-secrets’
a cliché that will disappear thanks to
this disc), Mike Finnigan (his piano/organ contributions
would require far more space than we’re
allowed, but how about Hendrix’s “Electric
Ladyland” album?) and last-but-not-least,
Larry Fulcher (the funkiest Blues bassist in Texas
who happens to also possess an incredible Soul
voice…). I’m assuming that there’s
a multitude of connections between this 7-man
outfit starting with the Texas music scene as
even those that aren’t native Texans have
been based there at one time or another. Almost
all of these superbly talented veterans have been
doing L.A. session work as well but most of all,
each and every one of these ‘Phantom’s’
is a lifelong Blues/R&B lover who’d
rather be making Beautiful Blues than anything
else. And, even the guests on this recording are
cut-from-the-same-cloth; Taj Mahal (harp on one
track), Jon Cleary (piano on a number of tunes),
Julie Delgado (backing vocals) and the legend,
Lenny Castro on percussion. I don’t need
to tell you, we live in an era where ‘Healing
Music’ is needed more than ever, and the
importance of a disc like this is measured not
just on musical merits but for its’ Spiritual
content and contributions. We need ‘Joyful
Noise’ in a Big way and hearing all the
beautiful music and positive vibes contained in
“Out Of The Shadows” makes for immeasurable
Hope/Peace of Mind. The Phantom Blues Band has
done their part to make this World a little bit
better & brighter by delivering righteous,
soulful music that in itself brings us all a little
closer to God/Love (or whatever term you choose…).
Just scanning the song titles you can see these
boys were all passionate music fans in their ‘formative’
years.
The
disc opens with New Orleans funkiness courtesy
of “Do The Dirt” and Sublett and
Leonard’s horn lines are a treat. Schell
handles vocals and he’s got a fine, smooth
and very hip delivery. Few would attempt this
tune but the Phantom Blues Band is able to add
even more gumbo to this classic. “My Aching
Back” is one of Lowell Fulson’s
funkier compositions and Mike Finnigan sings
on this one. Really nice piano solo from Cleary
(?) and Sublett’s fat solo evokes memories
of another Texas honker from the late 1950s
and Atlantic Records. “Who’s Been
Sleeping In My Bed?” is a tune I hadn’t
heard before but it has the name of Bobby Whitlock,
the big-voiced Southern Soul singer who toured
with Delaney & Bonnie, on it, and as at
least two members of the band have worked with
D&B I’m sure they came into contact
with Whitlock’s song. “I Only Have
Love” takes us to Memphis and Larry Fulcher
gives us his all with Taj blowin’ acoustic
harp while the drums and tambourine drive this
dance-floor hit. They’ll be Shaggin’
to this in North Carolina and Virginia. Wonderful
energy. “Rain Down My Tears” is
a masterpiece of subtlety and shading. Excellent
organ and horns behind Schell’s vocals.
Jesse Winchester’s “Looking For
A Miracle” brings back many memories.
A Big Gospel production that has Mike singin’
and shoutin’ his heart out. Don &
Dewey’s classic “Big Boy Pete”
is always a hoot and Larry, Johnny and Mike
all contribute in the vocal dept. Big fun! “Let
Them Talk” is of course, Little Willie
John’s classic and its Finnigan’s
shining moment. (I don’t know why he,
Larry and Johnny weren’t full-time vocalists
prior to this album as all three prove to be
Powerful and unique). “Book Of Rules”
is a Reggae classic that deserves to be a Worldwide
anthem for Living Right and Larry’s delivery
is wonderful. Tony Braunagel is the greatest
drummer, right? He sure convinces you on this
Love Anthem and again on “Havana Moon”.
If you think you’ve heard enough versions
of this Chuck Berry Cubana number, you still
need to hear this fresh, imaginative new take
on the old chestnut. Lenny Castro and Tony B.
are cookin’ and so are the horns and Denny’s
neat guitar work. Little Johnnie Taylor gets
a tribute with “Part-Time Love”
(and verses from at least 2 other Galaxy or
Jewell Records hits…) with Mike gettin’
down and Denny pickin’ sweet notes. Finnigan
gets my vote for Best ‘on-your-knees-vocals’).
“Think” is my favorite Jimmy McCracklin
tune and Larry has a ball singin’ this
one. It’s a rompin’ stompin’
dance-floor filler that’ll hit on the
Shag Market. Too bad Joe Sublett’s sax
solo doesn’t go on for another couple
of verses. Mike gets down again for the Duke
Records classic “Yield Not To Temptation”
and NOBODY has covered a Bobby Blue Bland number
like this. Mike’s Hammond organ is probably
in the repair shop after this one. Killer. Mike
then delivers a great Blues original with “Baby
Doll” and once again, he convinces one
and all that he’s one of the finest light-skinned
Blues vocalists on the scene today. Denny’s
(or Johnny’s?) guitar solo is a paint-peeler.
This CD closes with Ray Charles’ rockinest
record “Mary Ann” and the drumming
is second-line funky to the utmost. Fun horns
and cool organ. Wow! Nobody’s done these
songs like this. You take a bunch of guys with
this much talent and history and they could
rework “Moon River’ into a Funky
Blues Masterpiece.
Let’s
hope that this Super Group stays together for
a whole lot of touring and many more CDs. There’s
no way music this good can be held back or suppressed
as there’s far too much Positive Power
energy contained in these songs. What a Big
Breath of Fresh Air we have here. 6 Bottles
for an album destined to become a Blues Classic
and Multiple Award Winner. |
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