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Blues Underground Network The Blues "An Evolution" |
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 On
December 13, 2011
Chicago-based Electro Glide Records, released their first compilation CD
entitled The Blues, "An Evolution", which contains music from 4 of
their 5 signed artists, which included,
Big Dog Mercer, Danny Baron, Brandon Santini and
Tom Holland."Big Dog Mercer caught the blues from watching the movie, The Blues Brothers. His sound combines rock, a little bit of country and a Big Dog bite of Chicago blues." For Memphis Vocalist and Harmonica player Brandon Santini,
this compilation is actually his solo debut.
"For seven years, Brandon fronted the Blues
Music Award nominated band Delta Highway and has toured relentlessly
throughout North America and Overseas ."
"Danny Baron has worked with long time
Chicago radio hosts, Danny Bonaduce, Kevin Matthews and Steve Dahl. He
also has opened for blues greats Lonnie Brooks, Bernard Allison, and rock
icon Leon Russell. Danny also worked with former Beach Boy and rock
legend, Brian Wilson during his first solo tour
."
Guitarist/Vocalist Tom Holland has probably the biggest resume, compared to the other artists on The Blues "An Evolution". "Tom has worked with a who’s who of blues greats, including: Byther Smith, Eddy Clearwater, John Primer and L.V. Banks. For the past eight years Holland has been James Cotton’s guitarist and his musical director ." The Blues "An
Evolution" consists of 12 Tracks with each of the above mentioned artists
contributing 3 Tracks. In the Liner Notes, the President of Electro Glide
Records stated that "If I have to label the music on this CD, I would
have to call it "Americana". Or if you like, just call it messing with the
Blues." With such a statement, I proceeded to listen to this album
and see what I could pull from it, but first I wanted to mention a bit
about the Tracklist on The Blues "An Evolution". When I first looked at
the Tracklist, I thought nothing of it, but after listening to the album
and then looking back at the Tracklist again, it dawned on me that
something was not right and that was the way the songs were presented, via
1 artist/3 songs, then the next artist had his turn. To me that is not a
compilation album, that is a sampler album. In my opinion, The Blues
"An Evolution", should of shuffled up the artists, with having each artist
not having 2 Tracks in a row. I think that would have been an extra ingredient that would of
pumped up this album to yet another level.
The Blues
"An Evolution" first 3 Tracks were by Big Dog Mercer, with the first one
being "Some Other Fool". "Some Other Fool" starts off with a very
distinctive Grand Funk Railroad Bass Riff, which wonderfully permeates the
song throughout. The 2nd Track "Helpless" is a toned down ballad and shows
off Mercer's Vocals to perfection. Big Dog Mercer finishes off his set
with "Big Dog Blues", showing everyone whom the big boss man
is.
Next up was
Brandon Santini whom brought 3 nice Tracks to the mix of which my favorite
was the Cajun Swamp flavored Track "What Can I Do". Brandon Santini's
forte is of course his Harp playing which he showed off brilliantly
throughout his 3 Tracks.
Next up was Danny Baron of which he is referred to as
Danny And The Devils
on this Album. The favorite Track of his 3 was the first one "Don't Come Back This
Time", and is loaded for bear with not only great singing, but
also great Guitar work. Danny Baron's last of the 3 Tracks "Mama's
Boy", shows off some mighty fine Organ work throughout.
Up last is Tom Holland and it is all Chicago style
Blues to finish off this album, with my favorite being the slow Track
"Keep On Playin'", which they certainly do on this one, as it clocks in at
over 7 minutes, the longest Track on the Album. Tom
Holland finishes off his set with the only instrumental on The
Blues "An Evolution", with the Track "Zeb's Blues", of which one
reviewer said, "one might liken to a cross between Elmore James’
“Hawaiian Boogie” and Earl Hooker’s "The Leading Brand"." "Zeb's
Blues" was a very good choices of ending to this fine
album.
Despite
Electro Glide Records obvious miscue of not being a bit more
creative with the Track listing, I still found The Blues "An Evolution"
not only to be a heck of a good Album, but also a great way to get
introduced to some amazing talent.
Review by
John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)
Additional Info... www.ElectroGlideRecords.com
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