CD Reviews
brought to you by
Blues On Stage
|
|
"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" Achievement for Blues on the Internet Presented by The Blues Foundation
| |
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
Hands Across the Table
(Severn)
Review Date: December 2008
by Mark E. Gallo
Sugar Ray Norcia is one of the finest blues singers to ever grace a stage or recording studio. As a harp player he stands among the finest of the era. He proved both decisively as front man for Roomful of Blues and with the Bluetones before and after Roomful. The loping title tune that opens this exquisite 2005 set is proof positive on both fronts. Vocal and electric guitar dominate, with a snappy drum in a stark and extended opening. When the bass kicks in the essence remains barebones and fully fleshed out at the same time. The 13 tunes that grace this 10-star collection are mostly comprised of original material, with three well-placed covers in the mix. The first rate accompaniment from guitarist Paul Size, long-time pal Tony Geraci on piano, the always exciting Michael ‘Mudcat’ Ward on bass, and drummer Neal Gouvin (drums) is augmented by a superb horn section of former Roomful of Blues mates, here called the Providence Horns. Carl Querfurth’s trombone and Dog James’ baritone and tenor saxophones give this spice, drive and pizzazz throughout. The harp-driven instrumental of “Cloud Cover” is inspired, “Say You Love Me (Before I Hang Up)” is hard rocking R&B like few outside of these Rhode Islanders are capable of producing. “The Last Blues Song” is gorgeous and the closing “End Time” reminds a bit of country great Charlie McCoy. The covers of “That’s My Desire,” “(I’m Gonna Break Into) Folsom Prison” and “River Stay ‘Way From My Door,” a tune done to perfection by Jimmy Rushing and Dave Brubeck and done nearly as well here, are all exquisite. This is certainly a homerun for Sugar Ray, as if he were capable of anything less.
www.severnrecords.com
"This review is copyright © by the writer and Blues On Stage: 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!
Buy this CD NOW:
Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on the Amazon banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.
More CDs:
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 of your CD to:
Blues On Stage
PO Box 582983
Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983
E-mail Ray Stiles with any questions.
|
Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com
Copyright © 1995 - by Ray M. Stiles & Blues On Stage All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.
|
|