|
Blues Underground Network Dicky James And The Blue Flames "Hard Rain" (USA) |
 Nashville Blues Society ReviewA REAL GOOD BLUES–HARD RAIN–ROCK ME–BULLDOG TALKIN’–IT’S ALL TRUE–BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN–LOW DOWN DIRTY DOG BLUES–ICEHOUSE SHUFFLE–GAME ON–SPECIAL TO ME–WE GET TO PLAY–??? Richard Wagster is better known in the blues world as
Dicky James, and he and his Indiana-based band, The Blue Flames, have been
tearin’ it up in the Midwest since their formation in 2008. With their
second album, “Hard Rain,” they have taken a major step forward in the
heady playing field of contemporary blues. It consists of nine originals
and two covers, and showcases Dicky’s maturity both as a writer and
guitarist. He’s joined by Bob Freeze on harp, Johnny Beeson on B-3, Mark
Ford on bass, and Will Cox on drums, who handles some tricky arrangements
throughout the set, all without missing a beat!!
The set kicks off with the funky “A Real Good Blues,” with nits message of the spiritual, feel-good power of the blues. A no-good lover is warned in “It’s All True,” that “you reap just what you sow,” featuring sweet harp and B-3 interplay. An ultra-funky horn section adds spice to the tale of another lover who’s been messin’ around, “Game On,”where “every dog has his day and every man has his say!” Bob Freeze’s harp drives the instrumental tribute to Little Walter, “Icehouse Shuffle,” while guest vocalist Wes Cox lays down a reggae-fied rap delivery to the love story entitled “Special To Me.’ We had two favorites, too. The classic riff to “Born Under A Bad Sign” is given a chugging rhythm pattern here, while “Bulldog Talkin” takes us on a trip deep down to the Delta with Dicky’s dobro and Bob’s harp leading the charge on the tale of a lover who gets a little too rowdy after a night of too much partying! This set is dedicated to the memory of the late Pinetop Perkins, and fittingly so. Like Pinetop’s music, “Hard Rain” keeps the soul and history of the blues intact while simultaneously looking ahead to the future!! Until next time… Sheryl and Don Crow (Nashville Blues Society) About Dicky James and the Blue
Flames
Described by
one reviewer as “those electrified blues masters”, Dicky James and the Blue Flames
is one of the hottest blues bands touring the Midwest. They have
been captivating audiences everywhere with their superb brand of smoking’ Chicago
style blues.
The band is
comprised of a group of tremendous players who hail from various locales.
Dicky James, guitarist and chief vocalist, is the main song smith and has
proven that he knows the blues inside and out. He finds his inspiration in everyday
experiences and depends on the Blue Flames bring that vision to life. He learned to
play listening to blues and Motown records and from age of 18
has played across the nation in various rock and blues bands. Through the
years he has taken the stage with such notable acts as Rod
Piazza, Big Daddy Kinsey, Big Twist and the Mellow Fellows, and
Koko Taylor.
Harp wizard Bob Freeze
has studied the playing of the greats and has developed a nuanced
and seamless style which has become the “horn section” of the
Blue Flames.
John Beeson who,
ironically, owns one of the nation’s premier guitar shops, plays the Hammond
organ and has rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names
in music.
Mark Ford is a jazz trained bassist whose many
years experience in big bands adds an unmistakable swing feel to
the band.
Will Cox
started drumming to music of the British Invasion and, after many years
on the road, has transformed that rock sensibility into the perfect
blues driver.
Their first album,
‘The Blues Taste Good’, called “brilliant and timeless” in one
review, put the world on notice this band was for real. But the
breakthrough came in 2011 when they released their second record,
’Hard Rain’. Taking it’s title from a rainy pilgrimage to Memphis
by motorcycle, in September 2011 this record shot to #1 in the
nation
on the blues roots charts and has garnered rave reviews throughout
the industry including one from the Nashville Blues Society which described it as
“A major step forward in the heady playing field of contemporary blues”.
The band is currently beginning work on their third, as yet
untitled, CD.
Having said all that you really can’t grasp the
power of Dicky James and the Blue Flames until you hear them live at such
venues as the Slippery Noodle, Crossroads Blues Fest., the Players Pub, or
at the Kickapoo Kick Festival where they won the battle of the bands.
Dicky is an unparalleled performer who never fails to mesmerize the room
as he glides through the audience displaying his showmanship and stellar
guitar playing.
Listen To Samples Here...
Additional Artist Info... http://dickyjamesandtheblueflames.com/
|