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Some days you
wake up to little surprises in you musical life in the Blues
and my mailbox gave me one of them a few days ago. A duo from
Boston Massachusetts that I never heard of before, Jumpin’
Juba, sent me their debut CD titled “Bumpity Bump”
on Boneless Records. Accompanied by a few of their
local musical friends Jumpin’ Juba, Bruce Ward
on harmonica and Blues/boogie piano and singer/guitarist
Steve Hurl, combine their talents to put out a release of
both classic tunes and original compositions that had my feet
a movin’-a-plenty. Steve and Bruce co-wrote or wrote
individually eleven of the thirteen tracks on the album. The
sound that came through my speakers was the real thing as they
use vintage amps, acoustic piano and as they say “nuthin’
digital”. |
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Their tune “Funny
Farm” opens the ears with a New Orleans groove. “Back
Street Studio” gives you that swamp style Blues of the
50’s. Bruce Ward finally let’s loose with his three
decades of inspiration on the 88’s on his straight ahead
rockin’ instrumental “Bruce’s Boogie” with some great
guitar fills from Steve. The tempo slows down, with some great
lyrics, on their haunting song “Chase the Dream”. Hi-lited
by some rollin’ piano from Bruce and tasty guitar from Steve
the pace steps up again on their Blues number “Sufferin’
Blues”. I’m now hit with one of my favourite 1925 classic
recordings, Gertrude “Ma” Rainey’s “Explaining the
Blues” with just the acoustic duo of Steve singin’ and
playin’ his steel guitar and Bruce glidin’ along on the
ivories. The mood get into a more contemporary Blues-rock feel
on Steve’s electric song “Complications” with him
slidin’ away on the six string and back-up harp from Bruce. “Best
Buy in Town” I really like for it lyric content and
straight Blues feel. Bruce’s solo black and whites take over
again on another one of his instrumentals “Four-Footed”
with him doing both piano parts in the style of the early
recordings of Pete Johnson and Albert Ammons duets. A
hi-time rocker by Steve, “Fixated Woman” is next on the
track agenda. Steve goes solo on his “Lost in Logic”,
finger pickin’ away on his electric guitar. The duo of Steve
and Bruce take over once again on their tune “Rear View
Mirror” with Bruce up front on the keys and a short
thrilling solo by Steve on the electric slide guitar. The CD
finishes off with another historical number, a rockin’ and
rollin’ version of Casey Bill Weldon’s 1936 recording
of “Back Door Blues” with hot acoustic piano, slide
guitar and rhythm section. What a great way to end this
exciting release! This CD is strictly for those who
believe in a Blues party-time. Them surprises, you gotta love
‘em! Eddy B
MP3
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Funny Farm
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Bruce's Boogie
for more go to
www.stevehurl.com
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