PHANTOM BLUES BAND "FOOTPRINTS" Source: Blues Revue Date: 03/2008 Writer: Bill Wasserzieher

Three things to know about the Phantom Blues Band: It's an ultra-tight performing unit onstage; the group earned its reputation serving as Taj Mahal's backing band; and it has benefited mightily by featuring Austin's Denny Freeman on lead guitar. Three things to know about the band's new album, Footprints: The Phantoms are still as tight as the back seat of a Civic; Taj Mahal isn't around for the ride; and Freeman appears on only five tracks, having hit the road for Bob Dylan's Never-Ending Tour. But even without Freeman's full-time services, Footprints is a pleasing effort, as righteous a band release as those Booker T. and company used to whip out for Stax. Johnny Lee Schell steps in as guitarist and adds vocal strength to this 13-song collection. The lineup includes keyboardist Mike Finnigan and bassist Larry Fulcher, who also take turns at the vocal mike; Darrell Leonard and Joe Sublett on horns; and Tony Braunagel and Lenny Castro on percussion.

The Phantoms offer a surprisingly wide range of material, from the opening 'Look at Granny Run' (the Jerry Ragovoy/Mort Shuman tune originally done by Howard Tate and then nightsticked by Grand Funk) to the closing, reggae-flavored original 'When the Music Changes.' In between are covers that include Freddie King's 'See See Baby,' Ray Charles' 'A Fool for You,' the Tom Jones hit 'Chills and Fever,' Rufus Thomas' clucky 'Fried Chicken,' and a straight reading of one of the saddest songs ever written, 'Cottage for Sale.'

The players deliver, varying the tempos so that the album never drags (a rare occurrence in the CD age). With Grammy-winner John Porter producing, Footprints proves what the Phantoms' earlier solo album, Out of the Shadows, suggested < that a great backing band can come to the front.