CD Review
    Cadillac Dave & His Chicago Redhots
    Checkin' On My Baby
    (Funky Blues Incorporated)
    by Dave Thomas
    Review date: October 2001
    1999 KBA Award Winner
    Achievement for Blues on the Internet
    Presented by the Blues Foundation
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    blues picture Cadillac Dave and his band The Chicago Redhots have released a debut album containing 12 songs and was produced by David W.Englehardt & Craig A. Williams.

    Cadillac Dave has been playing the blues around Chicago for 10 years whilst the Redhots have been around 8 years since their formation in 1993. The band have an impressive CV having opened for the likes of Otis Rush, Otis Clay, Koko Taylor and Roomful of Blues.

    The album is mainly comprised of covers with one original song by Mike Wheeler "Been So Lonely" which has a haunting feel to it. I particularly liked this song as it is a long and drawn out heart felt performance by the band, with some nice Hammond organ by Melvin Robinson and an outstanding guitar solo from Mike Wheeler. "Checkin' On My Baby" is a happy go lucky number from the boys, Cadillac Dave's vocal is first class, he also does some mighty fine harp playing as well.

    "Snatch It Back and Hold It" also has some good harp playing from Cadillac Dave, the way they sing chorus on this song reminds me of Magic Slim & The Teardrops. Jimmy Reed's "Ain't Got You" is time for bass player Rob LaDuke to shine on the vocals, he also plays the drums whilst Cadillac Dave gives us a fine harp solo on this likeable tune. "Call My Job" has some fine guitar playing from Mike Wheeler on lead and Carlos Showers on Rhythm. The roles are reversed on "Born Under A Bad Sign", Carlos plays lead and Mike plays rhythm as they tackle William Bell's classic tale of struggle and bad luck, I must mention Big Ray on Drums and vocals who is outstanding.

    I think the one thing that comes across on this CD is that the band are enjoying themselves and they all take turns at being in the spotlight. I for one will be looking for their next album as they said it will be full of original songs, I think the band have a lot of potential.

    Check out the bands website: www.chicagoredhots.com

    This review is copyright © 2001 by Dave Thomas, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.

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    E-mail gif Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

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    Copyright © 2001 Ray M. Stiles
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.