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Blues Underground Network |
Jerome Godboo "Rootings Out My Devils"
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It really doesn't matter if you are watching Jerome Godboo performing live or just listening to his music from a CD, the fact of the matter remains the same, and that is, you are simply going to be really enjoying it. That was certainly the case for me, as I not only thoroughly enjoyed each track of his newest release, "Rootings Out My Devils", but also anxiously awaited for the dead space between each song to disappear, so I could start listening to the next one. Jerome Godboo is absolutely no stranger to the Canadian Blues Scene, with over 20 years experience playing with and touring with the biggest names around, such as, Dutch Mason, Ronnie Hawkins and Jimmy Bowskill, Alannah Myles, and Jack de Keyzer, to name a few. Godboo has also not only toured extensively across Canada, but also in many other part of the World, including United States, most of Europe and Beyond. That experience along with the many festivals he has played at and in some cases headlined, have garnered Godboo an immense following of appreciative fans and an immense amount of professional respect from his peers. Lets not also forget that accompanying each great performer is a equally talented handful of great performers and Jerome Godboo's Band is certainly no exception to this rule. Consisting of Shawn Kellerman (Guitar), Pat Rush (Guitar), Alec Fraser (Bass), and Al Cross (Drums), Godboo has essentially surrounded himself with some of best talent around. "Rooting Out My Devils" is Godboo's 13th Album, an although some may be superstitious of that number, rest assured their is no bad luck concerning this Gem. Godboo' even tempted the demons a little more by also having 13 Tracks, which he either wrote or co-wrote, with fellow band members. Godboo's Songwriting Skills is certainly second to none and their is no doubt in his ability to write songs not only meaningful to him, but also songs that strike a chord in all of us.Such are the songs on "Rooting Out My Devils". From the opening track, "Distant Satellite", in which he portrays his experiences after the breakup of his first marriage, to the title track, "Rooting Out My Devils", a song concerning a 10 day stay at a meditation retreat. From the oppression driven, "Jamaica Women", to the haunting realism of, "Graceful Surrender", Godboo and his band use all their talents at hand to help you feel what needs to be felt in each song. The one thing that stood out, amongst many others on this Album, was Godboo's style of playing Harp. He plays a fair bit on the higher end of the Harp, which is quite a feat to do properly, yet he seems to do it effortlessly, making his music even more unique. "Rootings Out My Devils" is Godboo at his very best and is an Album that is certainly a necessary addition to any fun times straight shooting blues collection. 5***** for sure for this very energetic romp from one of Canada's best. Review By John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network) Other Info And Reviews My
music career started with the Phantoms. We were an original rock blues
band that fueled a high-energy dance scene six days a week in Toronto and
across Southern Ontario. After ten years and three albums with The
Phantoms, I started doing guest spots as a harmonica player and singer and
worked as a sideman for Dutch Mason, Ronnie Hawkins and Jimmy Bowskill. I
also continued to write original songs using traditional Blues forms and
hosted weekly Toronto gigs. These included a four-year stint at Chicago’s,
six years at Grossman’s and two years at Healey’s co-hosting with Jeff. I
am now in my second year at the Delta Chelsea and play regularly with Jack
de Keyzer and David Rotundo. My
new CD, Rooting Out
My Devils features Al Cross on drums,
Alec Fraser on bass and three guitarists: Shawn Kellerman, Pat Rush, and
Eric Schenkman. These musicians have added dimension to my songs. I
encourage my bands to break my songs apart and we rebuild them together
with our common values. The lead track came from my experience of being alone and “spaced out” after the breakup of my first marriage due to my rock and roll behaviors. Some of the lyrics in the first two verses are borrowed from the Gospels of Thomas, which I feel are brilliant and not part of the traditional Christian Bible. Rooting Out My Devils” is a description of my experiences at my annual 10-day meditation retreats. “Where’s That Money” is about the tensions between man and wife. Man plays hard all night, has fun, thinks he’s towing the line. The wife has other ideas about what is useful. “Jamaican Woman” is about a friend from Jamaica and my frustration at forces of oppression that hold folks back in that country. Shawn Kellerman sounds like one of my favourite guitarists Albert Collins here. “Choo Choo’ is a Zydeco groove much like a Rocking Sydney song called Don’t Mess with my Toot Toot. The lyrics are inspired by how I feel in the early hours of the day with my kids jumping on me after a night of playing music late (think Dr. Suess’ classic “Hop on Pop”). “Graceful Surrender” is about letting go, accepting the circumstances and the challenges that life offers, which make us grow if we accept 100% responsibility for the quality of our own existence. Temptations continue to batter the untamed mind is the theme of the next couple of tunes. Who’s driving the bus, the baby or the man? The man I hope! I hope you find time to enjoy and reflect on “Rooting Out My Devils”, 2010’s summer offering. Jerome Godboo Tracklist
1. Distant Satellite Listen To Music Here... About Jerome Godboo Born and raised in Victoria, B.C., Jerome went to Halifax West High School, and was expelled from grade l2. He formed his first bands in Ottawa. Jerome has made Toronto his home for the past 20 years. Anyone who has seen Jerome live has the image seared in their mind. There's the machismo and the mischievous grin, the low-slung leather belt of harmonicas, and there's a tenderness and vulnerability as well. Based purely on first impressions, it's easy to make comparisons to Jagger and Morrison, but Jerome imitates no one. If the respect of his peers is anything to go by, Jerome Godboo is a giant on the music scene in Canada. All in all, it's a potent mix, one that combines the still vibrant musical legacy of more than a century of the blues with a passion and urgency that constantly renews itself. Jerome Godboo is a singer, songwriter and harp player extraordinaire. He has released twelve albums over twenty years. He's recorded and toured with the Phantoms, Alannah Myles, Dutch Mason, Jeff Healey, Ronnie Hawkins, Jack de Keyzer, Jimmy Bowskill and Suzie McNeil. Jerome has performed on stages across Canada, the U.S., France, Finland, Portugal, Ukraine, Israel and beyond. He's played with Prince, Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton, the Tragically Hip, Levon Helm, Billy Ray Cyrus and many more. Jerome has electrified audiences of all sizes. He headlined at the Montreal Jazz Festival (2005). He played the Toronto Air Canada Centre with Ronnie Hawkins. He played to a record-breaking crowd at the Montreal Jazz Festival (2004) and another 30,000 at Canada Day festivities with Jimmy Bowskill. Jerome wowed the crowd at the Vancouver and Victoria Jazz Festivals with Reuben Cherry. Jerome's network television appearances include CTV's Open Mike and Canada A.M., Much Music, City TV's Toronto Rocks and Breakfast Television, Global's News at Noon, CBC's Zed, TVO's Planet Parent, and In Session. He's also been showcased at Moses Znaimer's Idea City and on numerous radio shows. Jerome's current band includes Shawn Kellerman and Pat Rush, alternating on guitar, Alec Fraser on bass and Al Cross on drums. Shawn has toured with Mel Brown, Deborah Coleman, Bobby Rush, Carlos Del Junco and Paul Reddick. Pat has recorded and toured with Jeff Healey and Johnny Winter and toured with James Cotton. Alec played bass with David Wilcox, Bo Diddley, the Drifters, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, and has played with Jeff Healey for the past seven years. Al drummed on tour and in the studio with Jane Siberry, Bob Snider and Big Sugar. http://www.myspace.com/jeromegodboo
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