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Blues Underground Network Steve Gerard & The National Debonaires "Voodoo Workin'" (USA) |
There are good Blues albums, there
are great Blues albums, and if you are lucky enough you
will get the opportunity to comes across a simply amazing Blues album, Steve Gerard
& The National Debonaires 3rd release titled "Voodoo Workin", is one
of those amazing ones. Their current lineup consists of Steve Gerard (Guitar),
Mike "Shinetop Jr." Sedovic (Piano/B-3 Organ), Dwight Ross Jr.
(Drums), Greg "Junior" Demchuk (Harmonica), Doug "Mr. Low" James (Horn
Section) Dave "Elmo" Bailey (Vocals), Preston Hubbard (Bass), and the
stellar Jackson, Mississippi Blues Singer/Songwriter and new permanent member of
The National Debonaires, James “Rock” Gray. "Voodoo Workin'" consists of 10
Tracks of music ranging from Deep Southern Blues to Heartfelt Soulful
Blues of which 3 of the Tracks are originals by James “Rock”
Gray”. Of the 7 covers, they spanned a wide range of notably and
legendary writers and performers, which included Big Joe Turner's "TV
Mama", Fats Domino & Dave Bartholomew's "My Girl Josephine", and Nappy
Brown's "My Baby".
"Voodoo Workin'" opens with the title Track, and it
was abundantly clear to me, that after hearing James “Rock” Gray for just
a few moments, that Steve Gerard & The National Debonaires had made a
magnificent choice of adding James to their family. At the time
this album was made, James “Rock” Gray was 71 years young, but believe
me, you would never have guessed that. James “Rock” Gray comes across with
very unique and strong Vocals, which are perfect for the music he
sings on "Voodoo Workin'".
Another thing that is abundantly clear on the opening
Track, is
that you are going to all be in for a treat musically speaking, as
all the members in the band come across clear and concise, each adding their own
creative juices to the album.
Track 4 "TV
Mama", starts to pound out the music, a little more intensely, and was one of
my favorites on "Voodoo Workin'". Great Guitar work from Steve
Gerald, along with equally great work from Greg "Junior" Demchuk on Harmonica), and Mike
"Shinetop Jr." Sedovic on Piano. The Piano is an instrument that I really
love listening to on Blues albums, I sure got a nice dose of it on
"Voodoo Workin'", especially on Track 9 "Sweet Little Woman".
"Voodoo
Workin'" finishes up with the Bass and Sax Infused Nappy Brown cover, "My
Baby" and as far as I'm concerned that came across as the pure essence of
what makes this album such a treat.
My one disapointment
concerning "Voodoo Workin'" was that it clocked in
at just over 30 minutes, and for me that was just too short; I would of liked
to have heard at least a couple of more songs, as I was just getting into the
album when all of a sudden it was over. Amazing albums can be like that,
but thankfully the replay button usually does the trick of getting that
great feeling all back again.
When you got
a great Singer fronting a Band and a great Band backing the Singer, you
got all that is needed for a little bit of musical magic, and that is
exactly what you get on "Voodoo Workin'".
Highly
Recommended & Thoroughly Enjoyed... The National Debonaires sure
picked a winner when they added James “Rock” Gray to the
mix...
Review by
John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
Listen To Samples Here...
Additional Artist Info... http://nationaldebonaires.com/
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