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Blues Underground Network |
Chaz DePaolo "Bluestopia"
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My review of Chaz DePaolo's new release "Bluestopia", was not to occur for least a couple of weeks after receiving it, but I made the mistake, or should I say, I had the good fortune to open up the packaging and plop it into the Player, with the intent of listening to a few tracks, to see what I was in for. Well so much for listening to just a few tracks because once the first song was complete I could not wait to listen to the next one, and the next one, and the next one, because you see, with each Track I listened to, this Album only filled me with more anticipation to hear the next one. "Bluestopia" is one Hell Of A Thrill Ride, with Musical Texturing and Weaving like I have not heard in a long time, on any Album. In fact their were Tracks that I listened to that actually felt like they were beyond the Albums ability to contain them. Every note from every instrument resonated to perfection giving the music an extraordinarily layered and hypnotic effect. "Bluestopia" is not an overly long Album clocking in at around 37 minutes, but that is easily remedied by simply hitting the replay button, something you will find hard to resist, especially after listening to what I consider to be the gem of this Album, Slideadelica, the last track which is a instrumental, that also features Blues Harp Wizard, Jason Ricci. "Bluestopia" consists of nine tracks, 5 of which are DePaolo Originals and flirt extensively with a Blues First/Jazz Fusion that is made even more resilient with the amazing saxophonist, Robert Chaseman. In fact one of the many highlights on this Album is the playing of Chaseman as he is front and center, when needed, on 8 of the tracks. I had not heard of Chaz before being introduced to this Album, and why I don't really know, because he is simply a fabulous singer, songwriter, and musician. In addition to that he is more than aware at what time to take center stage and when to let others shine. This Album, as you may of guessed, simply blue me away and totally impressed me. It is one that will certainly be in my top 10 picks for this year and so far it is my favorite Album of the year. I Highly Recommend "Bluestopia" and wish I could give it a higher rating than my highest rating of 5*****. Review By John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network) Other Reviews And Info Michael Packer writes in the liner notes, "Honesty is the best word to describe blues guitarist Chaz DePaolo for both the man and his music. DePaolo has persevered through the disappointments and the rejections of life which is the blues and has risen above the petty jealousy of some who are envious of his work ethic and many successes. Chaz DePaolo has come into his own and he shines on this new recording, Bluestopia. Together with bandmates and added blues lumineries such as world renowned pianist David Maxwell and blues harp extrordinaire Jason Ricci, Chaz DePaolo has created a must CD for blues fans all over the world." ITunes After a slight miscommunication I finally received a copy of Bluestopia for review purposes. It was well worth the wait. Chaz is one hell of a guitarist with a widely diverse style. His vocals are strong and he is a better than average songwriter and arranger. Receiving self-produced CDs is always like having a birthday party in a war zone…does it contain the gift of a lifetime or is it destined to blow up in your face. The cover design was great. All artists were properly credited and there was enough information given to introduce the artist…always a good sign, but you can't judge a book by its cover. Chaz and the band get an assist from David Maxwell on several tunes and Jason Ricci on the closing number. While not always needed, this is a nice touch. The songs on the album ran the gambit from rocking numbers that will draw listeners to the nearest dance floor to slow burning "belly rubbers" that will have you and that special person in your life as close as white on rice. Immaculately played and well laid out, this one flowed like water. I am a firm believer in the fact that an artist can only be as good as his (or her) supporting crew, and this was as tight a band as I've heard anywhere. In short, after multiple rides through my system, Bluestopia holds up. Chaz DePaolo may never be a household word, but this CD is well worth the price and easy on the ears…a definite keeper. These guys have a love for the music that is evident from the opening notes to the closing of the final track and the songs were written from deep wells of experience. Regardless of how good an artist may be there is no way to fake that. This is the real deal, genuine, heart-felt and able to reach to the heart of the listener. - Bill Wilson http://www.billtownblues.org/cdreviews2009.html New Jersey blues guitarist Chaz DePaolo has an impressive and extensive vita—top shows and festivals in the U.S., Canada and Europe, and opening for artists such as Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin and Commander Cody. So one would naturally expect impressive guitar picking on Bluestopia, and one gets it amply on this short, nine-track CD that is considerably shorter than most CDs released now. (A demonstration that good things come in little packages?) His single-string electric picking is elegant and tasty, and he adds just enough short, occasional bursts of elaborate technique that keep it interesting; yet he never gets carried away with the flash. The late 1960s produced an ample supply of extremely able rock and blues-rock guitarists that seminally influenced the younger guitarists that came around, and DePaolo incorporated the influences from these masters well. Chaz DePaolo is also an able vocalist who uses his crying lower-range tenor voice to strong effect, and a solid songwriter who wrote solo five of the nine songs on the CD, four vocals and a longish instrumental final track, “Slideadelica,” as well as co-writing track 7, the vocal “Baby I’m So Lonely,” with K. Comer-Harris. DePaolo’s lyrics use effectively the elemental wording and repetition with permutation that is at the heart of the traditional blues approach. Musically, Bluestopia leavens the blues with East Coast rock and jazz influences, with jazz mixed with blues amply demonstrated by saxophonist Robert Chaseman, who infuses blues/R&B sax with the atonalities and virtuoso techniques of modern jazz. He is a most able second soloist who is an adept accompanist as well, and his brass reed instrumentalism is featured on eight of the nine tracks here. Chaseman plays tenor sax on seven of these tracks, and soprano sax on track 6, “Pearly Gates.” Muddy Waters Blues Band alumnus David Maxwell is another regular presence, playing accompanying piano on four tracks. Rounding out the band are Cliff McComas, drums on all tracks, and bassists Mike Santoro, who plays on six tracks; John Bongiovani, on two tracks; and Lou DeMartino on one. Also featured on Bluestopia are guest musicians Dave Lewis on Hammond B3 organ, accompanying on track 2, “You Know My Baby,” and accompanying with a solo on “Baby I’m So Lonely,” where he is joined by Tom Reese on solo flute. Bob Platt plays the B3 on “Slideadelica;” Eddie Jackson adds bongos emphasis on track 8, “It’s Not You It’s Me;” and Kirk Reese delivers a modern jazz-influenced piano solo on Bluestopia’s second instrumental, track 4, “Look At That Girl.” Rounding out the guest musician list is Electro Groove Records harp ace Jason Ricci, who delivers an amplified harp solo on “Slideadelcia” with note switching that is, in Johnny Cash’s memorable words, “faster than kiss a duck.” Two DePaolo originals, track 6’s “Pearly Gates” and the instrumental showcase “Slideadelica,” are slide guitar numbers based on traditional Delta blues sounds: DePaolo plays traditional acoustic slide on “Pearly Gates,” a citified country blues that adds bass, drums and sax;” and elaborate electric slide unadorned and adorned with wah-wah effect on “Slideadelica.” His original, track 7’s “It’s Not You It’s Me” is a rocking rhumba, while the other instrumental on the CD (which is an instrumental, even though credits list DePaolo on vocals), “Look At That Girl,” is a jump number based on 1940s and 1950s jazz that has an early 1950s R&B sound as well, notably because of Robert Chaseman’s repetition of the melody line in a sax-riffing manner. The DePaolo original, track 3’s “Woman in a Black Dress,” is an ominous slow blues that pays tribute to lust. Two songs come from classic bluesmen—Albert King’s “Down So Long” that opens the CD, and Roscoe Gordon’s 1952 signature song, “No More Doggin’,” track 5, which is arranged as a vigorous rock number. Tracks 2 and 7, the DePaolo original, “You Know My Baby,” and his co-written “Baby I’m So Lonely,” respectively, are up-tempo vocal numbers with a strong 1960s and 1970s rock feel. All this comes together to make Bluestopia a felicitous mixture of traditional and contemporary styles that effectively combine blues and blues-rock with East Coast R&B, rock and jazz. Just call Bluestopia a utopia of contemporary blues! NOTE: This review is an extended version of one that originally appeared in my July 26, 2009 “Blues and More” column for the Bloomington (IN) Alternative. Review By George "Blues Fin Tuna" Fish http://www.illinoisblues.com/bluesartists/chazdepaolo.htm Tracklist 1. Down So Long 4:33 Listen To Samples Here About Chaz DePaolo NY area guitarist Chaz DePaolo is an internationally acclaimed Blues/Rock artist. He has toured extensively in the U.S. Canada and Europe. He has performed on stage with Commander Cody, Bernard Purdie, Buddy Miles, Jose Feliciano, Harvey Brooks, Blue Lou Marini, Stir Fry, Brian Downey, Pete Brown, Monster Mike Welch, Vince Converse, and the legendary David Maxwell, Steve Phillips of The Notting Hillbilies, as well as the Grammy nominated Reese Project. Chaz has also fronted the original Groundhogs Rhythm Section consisting of Ken Pustelnik and Pete Cruickshank. The "Hogs" have recorded with John Lee Hooker and have backed Little Walter and Jimmy Reed. Chaz performs 150 plus dates a year in the states and abroad. He has been featured on US national television on "FOX AND FRIENDS" as well as on the prestigious BBC network in England. UK'S "Blues Matter's' magzine's Feb/Mar 2006 issue stated that "this man can really develop into one of the most exciting talents in 21st century electric blues music." Chaz's latest cd "Bluestopia", which is receiving excellent reviews', and the recording of his newest upcoming release "Serendipity" will keep him very busy. These projects follow in the footsteps of his last release "Flirtin With The Blues". This was Chaz's first full length Blues cd and has received very favorable reviews in the US and overseas. Chaz was featured at The Tribute to Jimi Hendrix in NYC in November 2006 and 2007 sharing bills with , Dr John, Jack Cassidy, Chuck Rainey, Teri Reid, Johnny Winter, Larry Coryell, Leon Hendrix, Cornell Dupree, and Buddy Miles. He has opened for such Blues Giants as Hubert Sumlin and Buddy Guy as well as Commander Cody, The Subdudes and The New Riders' Of The Purple Sage and has recorded with The original Groundhogs Rhythm section. Chaz and the "Hogs" section recorded a self penned track called "Cadillac Baby" that was released in 2005 on 95 North Records compilation called "Fins, Chrome And The Open Road" 'A Tribute To The Cadillac'. This cd contained tracks from Maria Muldaur, Charlie Musclewhite, Monster Mike Welch, Kim Wilson, Rosie Flores, Rory Block, and the late Little Milton. A line up of Blues luminaries which further cements Chaz's credibility as a Bluesman of note. Wicked Instruments of Greenfield Park, Quebec,Canada has released the limited edition "Chaz DePaolo" signature model guitar. Chaz worked very closely with designer and owner Nicholas Dijkman to craft a "superb instrument." A beautiful hollow body cutaway with hand made Lollar P 90 pickups and other true vintage appointments such as neck radius and fret wire. Chaz looks forward to a great year of touring and recording. http://www.myspace.com/chazdepaolo
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