West Side Wayne & The Boulevard Band have produced another toe tapping, soul stirring, unique sounding blue's collection of songs. I was honored and grateful to have the opportunity to review West Side Wayne's second release, "Jump Smooth," as well as see my artwork of Wayne on their CD jacket cover. Each melody's crafted with ingenuity. West Side Wayne takes the past and present and creatively merges both eras into something timeless and solitary. Wayne's harmonica hums vibrantly with a rich bluesy, straight to the soul sound. It's as if this instrument has an entity of its own. The female vocals, Debra and Diane, sound as sweet as candy to the ear. Wayne's raw, fun loving, seasoned blues man voice warmed me, made me smile until my face ached, thawed away the Winter cold and chased away any trace of sorrow.
I enjoyed each song, from the beginning to the end of this CD. West Side Wayne and his Boulevard Band don't skimp on creativity and style. His eclectic approach to the blues is astounding. Boogie, blues, and jazz jive together in, "Wine O' Wine," and the female vocals pout with attitude. Sorrow drips like slow molasses in, "Next Time." In this song, the guitar strums with heartache, the harmonica weeps with sadness, and misery flows from the piano keys. I love the story told in, "Shopping For Clothes." My ears were immediately drawn into this charming tale. Wayne's voice drips with despair in, "My Baby's Got The Blues," and passion and longing ooze in "My Sweet Potato."
West Side Wayne & The Boulevard Bands newest CD, "Jump Smooth," is definitely worth listening to. If you'd like to sink your soul into something upbeat, warm, humorous, and unique, "Jump Smooth," can be purchased at http://www.westsidewayne.com.
Simply click on the CD cover at left to order this CD NOW!
This review is copyright © 2002 by Mia Jennings, 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 email Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com
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