Minneapolis vocalist Mickey Bauer formed Cool Disposition after the break up of his former combo, Cryin’ Shame in 1999. After a number personnel changes over the ensuing months, the line up of the band finally morphed into its current form that, in addition to Bauer, includes Harold Tremblay (harps), Dan Schwalbe (guitar), Greg Beach (bass) and Dwight Christensen (drums).
Cool Disposition’s debut release on Minneapolis’ Cold Wind Records is entitled Rompin’ At The Ribshack. To preserve the spontaneity and authenticity of the music, the CD was recorded live at Famous Dave’s BBQ & Blues, a local Twin Cities venue that caters to area blues fans with a regular line up of local, regional and national acts.
Rompin’ At The Ribshack is comprised of thirteen songs, including four original songs written by vocalist Mickey Bauer, one by harp man, Harold Tremblay and eight well done covers that the band generally works to maintain in the traditional blues form as they were originally presented. The covers include works by a Who’s Who of the blues including Willie Dixon, Lowell Fulson, Junior Parker and Roy Brown, as well as songs attributed to James Lane (a.k.a., Jimmy Rodgers), James Moore (a.k.a. Slim Harpo) and Chester Burnett (a.k.a., Howlin’ Wolf).
The CD opens with a hot original instrumental, “Hurricane Howard,” with Harold Tremblay blowing one nasty harp. One of a long line of notable harp players to spend time in the Twin Cities, Tremblay can certainly hold his own against any of these other harp players including Lynwood Slim, R. J. Mischo, Kim Wilson, Mojo Buford and Tremblay’s mentor, Curtis Blake. The opener also includes a hot guitar solo by Twin Cities blues veteran Dan Schwalbe. As a matter of course throughout Rompin’ At The Ribshack, Tremblay and Schwalbe trade riffs and provide fills behind smooth voiced singer Mickey Bauer and the backbeat provided by Beach and Christensen. Tremblay shows his strengths on several other songs, most notably “Rock This House,” “Mellow Down Easy” and “Hip Shake Baby.”
Also dominating the development of Cool Disposition’s sound is guitarist Dan Schwalbe who has spent time previously as a sideman with Mojo Buford and Sonny Rodgers, among others. Schwalbe’s talents are particularly visible on Lowell Fulson’s classic, “Reconsider Baby” where his guitar really carries the song with solos between the cool, cool vocals of Mickey Bauer. Schwalbe also trades some nasty solos with Tremblay on Roy Brown’s classic, “Good Rockin’ Tonight” and Howlin’ Wolf’s theme song, “Howlin’ For My Darlin.” Schwalbe also puts together some nice solo work on Bauer’s originals “Rock Bottom Blues,” “Joyride” and “Too Much Rhythm.”
Not to be left out of this musical collaboration are the contributions of singer/songwriter and founding member of Cool Disposition, Mickey Bauer. On every song except the opening instrumental and “Good Rockin’ Tonight” where lead vocals are handled by bassist Greg Beach, Bauer provides his cool vocal style, sporting a true West Coast flavor that permeates the recording. Bauer is a talented vocalist with a nice vocal range that works well with every song, but particularly his own original material, which is exceptional.
Rompin’ At The Ribshack is an excellent debut by a fine Twin Cities band, seeking to expand their audience beyond the friendly confines of the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota. With some decent airplay and distribution of Rompin’ At The Ribshack, hopefully the band with increase their audience and following regionally and, perhaps, nationally in the coming months. To pick of a copy of Rompin’ At The Ribshack, check out the Cool Disposition website at www.cooldispo.com. By checking out the website you can also learn more about the band and find out about upcoming performance dates if you happen to be visiting the Twin Cities area.
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.