Ivan Appelrouth "Blue And Instrumental"

 

 

Ivan Appelrouth is yet again one of those artists whom has apparently made a name for himself, but one I really have found not to much info about on the net. According to his release sheet, he has been playing and recording for nearly thirty years. His mentor was the Legendary Duke Robillard and he started honing his craft as a guitarist in the New England area in the 80's. "The 90's found him recording & touring with Li'l Ronnie & the Grand Dukes and the DC based Big Joe & the Dynaflows." "Blue And Instrumental" marks Ivan's Debut recording as band leader and consists of musicians he has played with in the past both on a regular and part-time basis.

 

"Blue And Instrumental" consists of 15 Tracks of which 11 are originals by Ivan and 4 are covers. The four covers did not have names accompanied with them, so I hope the credit I have given to them is correct, and consists of "Frosty" (Albert Collins), "Strolling With Bone" (T-Bone Walker), "Junior Jumps" (?), and "Stranger On The Shore" (Acker Bilk). 

 

The Tracks on "Blue And Instrumental" were done via 2 five hour sessions, recorded Live off the floor, which I can attest to is the kind of feel I get from this album. Each session was started with no rehearsal, and in most cases nothing more than Ivan saying "I got a idea". All the Tracks are instrumentals and are considered to be rocking and swinging blues and R&B and for the most part that is what I was able to get, especially the swinging blues part. The band, which altogether consisted of 8 artists, including Big Joe Maher on Drums, came across as having been together and playing these tunes for quite awhile, however that was not the case as the songs were being played for the first time with this band as a whole, which I found quite remarkable. Ivan Appelrouth's Guitar work was bang on, with him not drowning out the music, showing off. He played simply as if he was part of the band and allowed the music and the rest of the musicians to shine, as well, which they certainly did throughout this album.

 

"Blue And Instrumental" certainly showed off Ivan Appelrouth's talent as a Guitarist, but even more so as a band leader. I was quite impressed with the album as a whole and feel that Ivan has really come into his own. "Blue And Instrumental" is a very fine debut release and should put Ivan Appelrouth firmly on the map for his style of music.

 

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

 

Listen To Samples Here...

 

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