Working as a professional musician since the early 1970's, harpman Sugar Ray Norcia has allowed himself to work in some pretty significant company over that 30+ years. Working with guitarist extraordinaire Ronnie Earl, seminal East Coast horn band Roomful of Blues and notables Michelle Wilson and Otis Grand, Norcia also offered up an exceptional solo CD in 1998, Superharps, that included guest appearances by other harp masters, James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite and Billy Branch. Superharps garnered Norcia a Grammy nomination in 2001 in the Best Traditional Blues category.
Sugar Ray & The Bluetones is the latest release by the Sugar Ray Norcia and the band's second release on Severn Records, a follow-up to the 2001 release Rockin' Sugar Daddy. Unique to the latest CD are the contributions on lead guitar by another formidable player, Monster Mike Welch whose 1990's releases on Tone Cool Records had him labeled as one of the new "young guns" of the blues guitar. Given Sugar Ray Norcia's history of smoother sounds and stylish guitarists, my curiosity was immediately piqued when I received the CD for review.
From the first listen to Sugar Ray & The Bluetones, it was clear that Sugar Ray has lost nothing of his distinctive style, while guitarist Mike Welch has matured dramatically as a blues guitarist that will remind listeners more of guitarists like Rusty Zinn than of slash and burn blues/rock guitarists like Johnny Lang or Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Eleven of the thirteen songs on the CD are written by Sugar Ray Norcia, Mike Welch or bassist Michael "Mudcat" Ward, with a steady back beat provided by drummer Neil Gouvin. While most of the songs feature a nice east coast/west coast swing feeling, some like "Why The Sun Sets Red and Low" take on a completely different feeling, this one being a clear reminder of the sound created by East L.A. roots band, Los Lobos. Another diversion from the norm is the band's cover of the Albert king tune, "Funk-Shun," including some signature King guitar riffs as performed by Mike Welch and some burning harp by Norcia. Also included in the mix is a nice instrumental remembrance of September 11 written by Michael Ward entitled "From Now On This Morning (11 September) featuring soulful solos by Norcia and Welch. On songs written by Norcia and Welch, the duo seem to take great pains to blend their virtuosity, sharing harp and guitar solos on almost every song.
Sugar Ray & The Bluetones featuring Monster Mike Welch is another fine production by Sugar Ray Norcia and a notable "coming out" for a more musically mature Mike Welch. To learn more about the CD and Sugar Ray Norcia, visit the Severn Records website at www.severnrecords.com. If you like, you can pick up a copy of the CD at the website or visit your local CD shop; it will be a great addition to your blues collection!
Your purchase through this Amazon.com link helps to support this website.
Simply click on the cover at left or the buy button to order this CD NOW!
"This review is copyright © 2003 by Dave "Doc" Piltz, 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.
We build websites