The Checkers Tavern is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA and is the place where
this competent album was record on Sunday 8th April 2001. Ryan Reardon vocals & harp, B.A.Bodiford guitar, Eric Simmons Fender bass and Matt Kimbrell on drums & vocal make up the band.
"What's The Matter" written by Ryan is the opening tune and is a bit of a boogie shuffler with the band getting into their stride with plenty of confidence. Kim Wilson's "Rock With Me" up's the tempo nicely with some good harp playing from Ryan. Some nifty guitar work from B.A. gets Junior Well's "Little By Little" off to a good start and Ryan's harp work adds to the steady groove on this well handled urban blues piece. Ryan also wrote the gritty "You're Gone" which is my favourite from the album and is a good steady rhythmic rollin' song with call and response and some quality guitar work from B.A. Robert Johnson's "Love in Vain" is given a laid back approach and is wonderful for it. "Hale Country Road #50" is another of Ryan's songs and features his great harp playing. The album is nicely round off by Jerry McCain's "Steady" which features B.A. showing us that he certainly knows how to play his guitar and Matt on drums gets a small solo.
Whilst this album is not earth shattering it certainly shows that there is some great music
being played in bars and clubs around America by unknown bands, this album is as good
as any on that scene, you will not be disappointed.
Ryan Reardon & The Levee Breakers: www.its-good.com
Email: ryan_reardon@msn.com
The CD can be ordered from: www.cdbaby.com
Checkers Tavern: www.checkerstavern.com
Blue Sunday Music: www.bluesunday.com
Simply click on the CD cover at left to order this CD NOW!
This review is copyright © 2002 by Dave Thomas, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, 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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