The opening track, "Got What You Need," which swings along nicely, offers some useful insights into the band for any newcomers. There is a good balance to the band's sound, and it offers enough to make you want to delve a little further into the album. Those who do will be well rewarded. In addition to several Texas/West Coast style tunes, singer/guitarist (and band leader) Elliott New picks up the diddley bow on four tracks which lends things a more down home feel. Even more unusual, though, is Mike "Naz" Nazarenko's use of "hammond harp" on "Shell of A Man." If you imagine Robert Ward's trademark guitar sound, and then apply that to harp, you will be close to the sound of the hammond harp.

Whilst J.T. Anderson (bass) and Jim Heidendrich (drums) keep a solid groove going throughout, the band's sound is rounded out by the sax of Bob "Sonny D" Dickey. Particularly noteworthy are some nice punchy horn on the Hawaiian flavored "You're All I Need," and a fine solo on the highly danceable "If I Could." The balance with Naz's harp works well too, especially on the William Clarke-like "A Girl Like You," where Naz plays chromatic. This is followed by the title track with its eerie vocals and characteristic diddley bow sound which rounds the album off nicely.

"Voodoo Stew" shows that Elliott and the Untouchables are a very solid outfit. They play a range of blues that encompasses several styles, with Texas and West Coast being most prominent. If you need a comparison, Rockin' Daddy and the Roughcuts play in the same sort of territory. Elliott and the Untouchables four previous albums for BluePoint have all been top sellers; "Voodoo Stew" has the right ingredients to make it five in a row.

www.ElliottAndTheUntouchables.com
www.PacificBlues.com

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