If you don't live on the west coast you may not be familiar with Bubba and the Big Bad Blues, I think this CD may change that. Bubba's inaugural CD is a real eye opener, or should I say, ear opener. Bubba and the band have all been around the music world for some time, each member has a long and impressive resume, in their current form Bubba's band has been playing together for 10+ years. This band consists of Christopher "Bubba" Clerc on lead and vocals, Shawn Nourse drumming, Mike Berry thumping the bass and Rick Solem on keyboards, (both piano and B3). All of them do a real fine job, they sound great.
Bubba and the band's style is a blend of many styles from many artists. You can hear the influence of others with out hearing a cover tune, you can get a feel for where this music comes from, and who it honors, but it sounds new and fresh. Listening to this CD I hear several tunes that remind me of the styles of Robert Cray, SRV, Freddy King and some rockers too. Half the songs on this CD were written by Bubba, one was written by Rick, they both did good a good job. The title track "Big Bad Blues" has a Texas blues /rock feel with a guitar rhythm that gets you going and ready for what follows.
"I Got The Loving You Need" has a nice groove and a fine guitar solo, just easy to listen to. "Black Clouds" has that old time smoky bar room sound, a real slow grooving song, you get guitar and piano playing off each other, real nice. My favorite is "Down To The Ground", it's a real thumping an rocking number about a woman who "can tear you right down to the ground". This song qualifies as a "power shuffle". It's like a cross between SRV and ZZ Top, what a great sound! I like this one too, because it has some vintage blues lyrics injected in a new song, I like a good blast from the past.
You get a trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras on "Gimmie Some Beads". It's really hard to believe this is a new song, it has that old time "Narlins" sound, real easy to listen to and hard to stay in your seat when you hear it. "Fat City" has modern blues lyrics for a modern world, it's about hitting the big time and remembering your ex girl, and the fact that if she hadn't left you, she could be there in "fat city" with you. "Just Lucky I Guess" (written by Rick) is a fine tune that has a sound like Robert Cray with a Latin twist, this one really gives the drummer and bass man a work out, great guitar and piano work too.
Bubba and the band also do some old classics, but in their own way. You get great versions of "It Hurt's Me Too", "Big Leg Woman", "Built For Comfort" and "Stranger Blues". All are done well. "Built For Comfort" was always a favorite of mine, and they do a real nice job with it. If you like raw blues with a distorted sound then "Stranger Blues" is for you, it rocks and rolls along, it seems as if it will never stop, like it can't, it's got a great groove.
This CD has a great blend of new and old sounds, all done in a classy blues style, If you like your blues with big bad flavor , Bubba and the Big Bad Blues should satisfy your hunger. I think this one has something for everyone.
Visit Bubba and the band at www.bubbablues.com
Your purchase through this Amazon.com link helps to support this website.
You can now order other CDs, books, and videos from Blues On Stage in association with Amazon.com. Simply click on the logo at the left and shop! They have some of the best prices on the web and even offer some used product at lower prices.
"This review is copyright © 2003 by Chris Puyear, and Blues On Stage at: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission."
Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!
You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details).
Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $50.
Web Hosting & Design:
Web Hosting & Design.
Most affordable web hosting and design services available.
Find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!
If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies, along with promotional material to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles @ mnblues@aol.com with any questions.