Charles "Big Daddy" Stallings’ new CD, "Blues Evolution" is a great mix of original tunes written by Stallings, himself. Stallings shines while he belts out the blues as the strong horn and rhythm sections answer back with bold bursts of excitement. This music teases, shouts and draws us in, but really should be heard live! The blues boogie, "Let's Boogie " introduces the players, allowing for each musician to shine with at least one solo each. "Going Down South" slows down with Stallings deep, smooth vocals telling’ an ol' blues story. “Blues Train Express” picks up the pace with a light blues shuffle, followed by a sweet down ‘n’ dirty blues tune, “Hard Times/Good Times.” The solid musicianship and soulful melody make up for the less than memorable lyrics. Hey, maybe the “wok e up this morning, washed the sleep out of my eyes…” lightens up the tune. The songs, “Strange Things” and “Hobbesville #2” shine with a soul-touching genuineness as Big Daddy Stallings belts out the blues.

The name of the CD, “Blues Evolution” hints at the variety of styles heard on the fifteen tunes Charles “Big Daddy” Stallings and his band produced. A futuristic “2999”, ‘Cha Cha 3000”, and “Hola Senorita” probably are great fun to hear live, but some blues lovers might want to hear more traditional, soulful blues on a CD. Then again, since the band has such diverse backgrounds, why not try a different sound now and again? This CD was nominated by the D.C. Blues Society for the category, “Best Self-produced CD.” Charles “Big Daddy” Stallings sings and plays a mean guitar himself, but he also has great talent backing him up with Ronald Bland and Gail Parrish on bass, Wayne Johnson on guitar, Kelvin O’Neal on trumpet, Joe “E Flat” Thomas on sax, Steve Levine on harp, and .Russell Hayward and Ron Jenkins on drums

www.bigdaddystallings.com
The Bratt Studio
1829 Colmar Road
Woodlawn, MD 21207
414-944-2352

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