BLUES CD REVIEWS - Saturday Nite Fish Fry – “Rhythm & Soul”

Check out this incredible line up; Neil Chapman, guitar; William Sperandi, trumpet; John Johnson, alto sax; Bob Brough, tenor sax; Chris Gale, baritone sax; Scott Alexander, upright bass; David Direnzo, drums; Bill King, vocals and keys and one of the most inspirational singers I’ve ever heard, Shakura S’Aida. With a feeling for the past and a love for the music, they really know how to ‘roll’. It’s time for this freight train to get onto the tracks.

The music first busts loose with Shakura singin’ like only she can do on the rockin’ R&B song “Ain’t I Talkin’ To You Baby” - an old Sheri Washington 50’s tune. I like the way the Fry cover Blind Willie Johnson’s “John The Revelator” retaining the emotion of the 1930 prewar version with Bill doin’ the lead vocal and Shakura doing the refrain as Neil plays the National steel guitar with the horn and rhythm section - it all has a kool contemporary feel. An easy groove is felt on the classic ‘53 Ella and Buddy Johnson song “That’s How I Feel About You” with Shakura and the band soundin’ every bit as good as the original. Bill takes on the lead vocal on his own composition “Something On My Mind” and I have to say his voice just gets better and better. The play list slows down a bit on Anne Cole’s memorable 1956 R&B number “Easy, Easy, Baby” with Shakura really blowin her pipes and Bill rollin’ along on the ivories. The tempo picks up once again with Bill singin’ Annistine Allen’s “Down By The River” - once again from 1953. A mood shift to a slow soulful Blues, a song from 1961 you’ll really fall for, as Shakura puts you in her back pocket with her version of Mary Ann Fisher’s “Give”. A straight-ahead R&B treatment is given to the standard 1960 Elmore James’ number “Can’t Stop Lovin’”. One of my hi-lites on the CD is listenin’ to Shakura belt out on “Don’t Freeze On Me” - an obscure track originally recorded in the early 60’s by Jesse Mae. With Bill on vocal once again, the band pumps out a New Orleans rendition of Big Bill Broonzy’s 1930 “I Can’t Be Satisfied”. You’ll start jumpin’ with Shakura layin’ her ‘oh so fine voice’ on Dinah Washington’s “I Just Can’t Stand It No More” from 1954 and then slows you down deep into the Blues doin’ “Maybelle’s Blues” - an other classic from 1953 by ‘Big Maybelle” Smith. The mood stays low on “I’ll Miss Your Smile” with Bill soundin’ very Ray Charles like on another great tune he wrote. The lyrics just grabbed my heart about how I personally feel in my life. Although “Lady Be Good” has been recorded vocally since the early 40’s the CD finishes off with Bill tickling the black and whites on a movin’ instrumental version based on pianist Albert Ammons’ 1946 recording. I went to flip over the album, but realized I’d just have to start it over again. I can only forecast nominations for a number of awards in the near future. Thankx gang, for allowing me to contribute a little to this very exciting album. Really lookin’ forward to hearing the band perform live again at the record release party. If you got any “Rhythm & Soul” in your body, then this is your CD, and you can make very nite a Saturday Nite Fish Fry. Nothin’ like bein’ ‘Fryed’. -Eddy B
MP3- Ain’t I Talkin’ To You Baby