Louisiana bluesman Burton Gaar has brought his "Louisiana proud" sound back to the studio for his latest release, Home of the Blues. Gaar has been playing the blues since the age of 16, making his early entre into the genre playing bass with Slim Harpo, who became one of his major influences. Gaar also played with Rockin' Sidney' Simien for over 12 years. Gaar acknowledges the zydeco star on the CD liner of Home of the Blues, referring to him as the "late, great ‘Rockin' Sidney."
For Home of the Blues, Gaar is once again backed by an excellent group of musical talent. Randy Coleman and Clay Krasner share duties on bass; Shane Theriot from the Neville Brothers and Danny Hamblin split guitar duties; Floyd Saizon takes drums on all tracks; Tim Gonzalez plays harp; and Johnny Neel, who wrote "My Little Feel Good," takes responsibility for organ and keyboards. The band also includes an excellent horn section that includes Dennis Taylor and Marty Ojeda on tenor saxes, Tom McGinnley on baritone sax and Steve Herrman on trumpet. Interestingly, Gaar's noted work as a bassist continues to be absent from this CD (as was the case on his previous CD, Mighty Long Road), with Gaar sticking to songwriting, vocals and serving as the Producer on the recording.
Home of the Blues kicks off with the title track, including a driving bass riff that harkens back to Albert King's classic, "Born Under a Bad Sign." The instrumentation on this song is fantastic and has a great soul/blues feel that reminded me of something that Snooks Eaglin might put together. The moderate tempo tune really sets a high expectation for the remaining 11 cuts.
"Blow Wine Blow" follows with a nice up tempo shuffle that includes solos by Shane Theroit, Jonny Neel and Tim Gonzalez on guitar, organ and harp, respectively. The next song, "Repoman," features a steady, recurring guitar and bass riff and the band's stellar horn section. The song offers a great funk feel that is driven home by the great band.
Home of the Blues continues the musical journey with "Hole in My Heart," a song that includes some great double stop guitar and a catchy tune that will ring in your head for days. The song includes some excellent saxophone and Gaar's signature smooth vocal, on top of a funky groove. This is followed by "Hole In My Heart," a great soul tune with a 60's feeling, melding together all of the members of the band. The soul feeling continues on "Hall of Fame," which is one of those classic songs that you can easily visualize being crooned by the great Solomon Burke
Gospel takes its turn on two songs, "Rainbow" and "Wonderland," both reflecting Gaar's roots in Louisiana and the church. Both songs offer a great gospel feel and just plain great music that get you in that "down home religious" sort of mood.
If you like powerful guitar work, "Stone Cold Blues," "Mississippi Water" and "My Little Feel Good" all offer solid guitar work. In an unusual twist, Johnny Neel's "My Little Feel Good" involves a completely different line up. including Neel, along with Mike Caputy (drums), Doug jones (guitar) and Dennis Gully on bass, to support Gaar's vocals.
The CD concludes with "Still Singing the Blues," a song that includes a nice interplay between the members of the rhythm section, along with a great organ solo by Johnny Neel on another fine soul burner.
All in all, Home of the Blues, is one exceptional CD and one well worith adding to your collection. To learn more about Burton Gaar and/or to pick up a copy of Home of the Blues, visit Gaar's website at www.burtongaar.com.
Buy this CD NOW:
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
"This review is copyright © 2004 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!
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on this banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 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 Hosting & Design:
CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75.
The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here
to 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.