Pat Hayes and the various incarnations of Lamont Cranston have been known for blowing the doors off of venues for 30 years and this CD is no exception.
A Cranston classic that was originally released in 1988, "Tiger In Your Tank," is a "House Party" that lights a fire under your dancin’ shoes. This is about as energetic a jump/shuffle/boogie/blues CD as your going to get for the first nine songs and when the music finally slows down, it’s for the last song on the CD, titled, "As The Years Go Passin’ By." A beautiful and moving slow blues that features Bob Bingham’s expressive, tastefully played, sweet toned guitar that leaves you wanting the song to stretch out a while longer.
Pat Hayes is his usual self, singin’ and shoutin’ the blues, and playing stinging slide licks for the title song, Willie Dixon composed, "Tiger In Your Tank" and Elmore James’s "Quarter Past Nine." He blows one of the meanest virtuoso harps this side of Charlie Musselwhite on "It Only Hurts A Little While," T-Model Boogie, and "Shadow’s Groove," a self- penned tune that also features some great guitar work by Bob. Every once in a while, I would catch myself thinking that Pat is getting awfully close to sounding like a B-3 on his harp. That’s a FULL, FAT sound!
Throughout the entire CD, the rhythm section, keys, and horns are doing their thing, holding down the fort, punctuating the empty spaces, keeping the grooves churning, and from start to finish, laying down some mean, steady vibes for the rest of the band to build on.
Pat, who handles the vocals, harp and slide guitar, is joined by Bob Bingham on guitar, Danny Rowles on keyboards, Bill Black on upright bass, Jim Novak on drums, Joe Chandler and Paul Scher on saxophone, Pete Masters on trombone and Tony Moen on trumpet.
"Tiger In Your Tank" is produced by Pat Hayes, Executive Producer is Jeff Bjork, and Norton Lawellin is the Remastering Engineer.
So "Hurry, Hurry Baby" on down to the local record store and put this "Tiger In Your Tank", but remember to bring your party hat and put on your dancin' shoes!
Cold Wind Records, 4400 Stinson Blvd. Mpls., MN 55421
Phone: 1.800.638.4558
E-mail: bloonmpls@aol.com
This review is copyright © 1999 by Stephen T. Davidson, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
