Hey when I first listened to this CD I had to check to see if I had the wrong disk in my player. I have a hard time calling this a true Blues CD. Don’t get me wrong this is a great CD, more Boppin then Blues. So I called the number on the CD and was lucky to find the Producer and Main Song Writer Mike Goudreau home and willing to spend some time with me on the phone. My first question was he trying to reclassify the Blues? Going through each song we came to a conclusion that this might be more of a Jump project maybe a little jazzy.
As you tour this project you will hear some nice horn work. Some nice Keyboard work and great production. The closest cut that might allow " Blues" in it's description are cuts #4 Sensible Shows" and cut #2 "Baby Please Give In" but the very next cut "Bad John" sounds like a fast paced Jazz trio the song races with a few nice fills of Drum solo's that make this song cool to listen to.
This CD lacks the Killer guitar that you would expect in a basic Blues project. Producer Goudreau who is also the Guitar player never let go with his playing. Maybe that’s what throws me from the Blues format that I am used to. My favorite cut is "I Must Love You" a nice balled written by Peter Brown. The way Goudreau sings this reminds me of the late Richard Manual from the Band. Another highlight is a fast paced swing tune sung in French called "Swingne to Peine."
No doubt this act will be heard from and I expect to see Goudreau’s name around on projects for some time to come. Go out and buy this ! The email they list on the jacket is boppin@ailleurs.qc.ca. This project was recorded in `Quebec at the Studio Le Sphynx.
I give this project an 8 out of 10.
This review is copyright © 1999 by Philip Vaughan, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
