There are so many so-called blues artists these days determined to stretch the music’s boundaries in new and different ways, one sometimes wonders just what’s wrong with the ‘classic’ sound that forms the genre’s foundation.
Anyone who thinks straightforward 12-bar blues has been done to death need look no further than “Just My Luck,” the sophomore outing from Chicago’s Rob Stone & The C-Notes. They manage to stay firmly within tradition, yet add a fresh vitality and some clever twists that render them both distinctive and thoroughly contemporary.
Stone (vocals and harmonica), Chris James (guitar and vocals), and bassist Patrick Rynn account for nine of the disc’s thirteen tracks. And while influences are obvious - “Too Late Honey” borrows from “Mojo,” “Empty Room” could fit comfortably within any Little Walter collection, and “Your Move” is a lazy shuffle done Jimmy Reed-style – they’re only drawing from the common well in the grand blues tradition. And it’s innovation, rather than imitation, that shines through – Stone and friends aren’t out to reinvent the blues, but neither are they content to recycle tired clichés. They’re simply taking a musical form that’s arguably just about perfect and continuing to add to it.
Others, of course, have attempted the same with varying degrees of success. But Stone and the C-Notes have some heavy backing to help ensure they get it right. The late, great Dave Myers appears on three tracks (one of the original Aces, these proved his final recordings), and the ‘Shuffle Master’ himself, Sam Lay (Muddy Waters, Paul Butterfield) handles roughly half the drum chores. Everyone involved understands how important it is to keep things loose. There are no doubt better technicians around, but the feel here is just right, relaxed, raucous and raw.
Stone’s vocals on most tracks – particularly the Chicago-style grinders – are adequate if not exactly award winning, but on the numbers that swing harder (“I Had A Dream Last Night,” “You Got Me Restless,” both featuring Jonathan Doyle’s baritone sax) he proves a crooner of the first order. His harmonica work, too, is solid and workmanlike – no flash, no frills, just well placed notes sculpted and shaped with care.
Blues is deceptive music. For all its apparent simplicity, it’s surprisingly difficult to play, if only because so much depends on feel. While Rob Stone and the C-Notes have obviously given a great deal of thought to their impeccably crafted arrangements, they play with all the joyous abandon and energetic exuberance this music demands.
Not quite essential, perhaps, but an excellent outing from a young band determined to keep the blue flame burning – and that’s a very good thing indeed.
Recommended!
www.robstone.com
Earwig Music Company
1818 West Pratt Blvd, Chicago, Il. 60626
Phone: 773-262-0278
Web: www.earwigmusic.com
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