Roomful of Blues has probably acted as a staging post for blues artists
than any other band that is still doing the rounds. Erstwhile members of
the band that was formed in 1968 include Ronnie Earl, Lou Ann Barton, Duke
Robillard and Sugar Ray Norcia. Though artists may have come and gone the
band continues to flourish, and you need look no further than "Watch You
When You Go" for evidence.
"Roll Me Over" gets things under way in grand style. It is a prime example
of the sort of thing that Roomful of Blues are renowned for. This is big
band swinging blues, with a crack horn section and a fine singer (Mac Odom,
who wrote it) to front it all. It is quickly followed up by "The Salt Of My
Tears," the first of four tracks penned by Chris Vachon who does a good job
on guitar throughout. He also doubles up as producer.
The first of a pair of consecutive covers, William Longmire's "You Give Me
Nothing But The Blues," has a real retro feel. It perfectly captures that
1950's sound (it was written in 1956), with the horns punctuating each of
the lines of the lyrics. The band then take things down a bit for a soulful
rendition of Earl King's "Your Love Was Never There" before moving into
mambo mode for bass player Thom Enright's excellent "Love To Watch You When
You Go."
The band later return to New Orleans for a cover of Fats Domino and Dave
Bartholomew's "Wait And See." It is played pretty straight, but with the
emphasis very much on the horns. In fact it sounds like there are only
horns, piano and drums. The horns stay in the front line for the closing
instrumental "Where's Bubba?" which was written by tenor saxman Rich
Lataille. It is a tune that straddles the border between blues and jazz,
capturing a big part of what Roomful of Blues is all about.
"Watch When You Go" shows that there is still plenty of mileage left in
Roomful of Blues. Fans of big band line-ups where there is plenty of
emphasis on the horns (Blues Brothers anyone?) will garner much pleasure
from "Watch When You Go." Rather than simply harking back to a bygone era,
however, the band write much of their own stuff, and add their own stamp to
most of the covers. "Watch When You Go" is proof positive that Roomful of
Blues are alive and kicking and very much a force to be reckoned with. You
can find out more about the album from the Rounder Records site
(www.rounder.com)
This review is copyright © 2001 by Gordon Baxter, 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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