This CD is something different, so I barely know where to start. School For Fools is a CD by many artists performing the music of Jeff Alexander, with vocals by Larry Thurston. The music is played by, well…. about everybody who is anybody in blues. The band behind this consists of 18 different musicians who have all paid their dues, some names you may know right off, some not, but this band is a class act.
Larry Thurston has been around for awhile, he was the singer for Matt "Guitar" Murphy's band in the 80s. Although he retired in '94, Larry came out for this CD; Levon Helm (of The Band) on drums; Johnnie Johnson on the 88s on a couple of tracks; Keith Doder (Jimmy Rogers band) on harmonica; Gus Thornton ( played with Albert King & SRV) is the bassman; Arthur Neilson (Shemekia Copeland Band) plays lead on a couple of tracks. The list just goes on and on -- lots of solid musicians doing what they do best.
Larry has one of those big, full voices, really smooth, he makes singing sound easy. Jeff's songs run the gambit of blues….. women, lovin', heartbreak, boozing, gun shots and gravediggin',( not in that order J ). And this is a good thing -- what the blues is all about, the ups & downs of life.
This CD has an old familiar sound, good old style blues. You would think you were listening to an older band that had been together a long time, even the lyrics seem to be seasoned, but at the same time it is all new -- new lyrics, new music. Jeff produced this CD too and did a good job.
A lot of artists make new music that sounds new. Too many make their music so new that they seem to forget what it is supposed to be, but Jeff has accomplished something outstanding -- the combination of seasoned musicians and Jeff's "new music" was a good match -- "new" music that sounds familiar. You don't have to listen to it a dozen times to get the feel, this CD hits you right the first time out.
You can order this CD and find out more at www.cousinmoemusic.com
Simply click on the CD cover at left to order this CD NOW!
This review is copyright © 2002 by Chris Puyear, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission.
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