CD Review
Westside Andy Mel Ford Band
Handyman
False Dog (2003) 80632
11 tracks, 55 minutes.
by Craig Ruskey
Review date: July 2003
|
|
"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by The Blues Foundation
| |
The city of Madison has a lengthy history as one of the stronger blues communities in the States, and the Westside Andy Mel Ford Band are definitely a force to be reckoned with on the evidence of their two 'live' CDs, Handyman perhaps getting a nod as the better of the pair. Westside Andy's harp tone is thick, rich and warmly distorted, owing debt to Big Walter Horton and a few others and Mel Ford's guitar buzzes with hefty overtones and traditional licks. The title track kicks off the set with an effortless shuffle and Pork And Beans rides off a perfectly played New
Orleans' second-line rhythm, and although Waitin' For You is another well-played grinder, the vocal affectations are a bit bothersome. Lip Service might well be a crowd pleasing instrumental during a rocking night in a tavern, but at ten minutes long with its dictionary of generic blues hooks, it fizzles among the remainder of the disc, especially Tongue And Groove, a focused harp ride over a lazy back and forth rhythm. The Lowell Fulson feel of You Put It Out is crafty and Mr.
Clean shows more excellent songwriting, as does Frogs For Snakes, a keeper. Yonders Wall is taken at a slower and funkier clip where Ford tosses out some potent guitar, and the closing track Beer takes a few pages from the songbook of Jimmy Rogers. Although keyboardist Jimmy Voegeil is touted as an Otis Span devotee in the liner notes, one wishes there had been a grinding stomp for him to pull out the stops on. While there might not be anything earth-shattering during the 55 minutes of Handyman, it's a solid effort nonetheless with a good cross-section of styles played by a hardworking band.
To order CD: www.westsideandy.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 Craig Ruskey, 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.
|
Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com
Copyright © 2003 Ray M. Stiles All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.
|
|