ROOMFUL OF BLUES

45 LIVE

2013-10-12

The biggest, baddest blues band in the land is back with a live recording to commemorate its 45 years as one of the top purveyors of the little big band sound of the likes of early

and the

. While it has had more turnover in membership than the French fry slot at McDonald's on a soccer Saturday, (over 50 to date including the likes of

) the band has always recruited great talent and maintained its wailing, horn-driven sound despite the tough economics of putting eight or more musicians on stage each night. This set features the current version of the band working its way through 14 cuts selected from throughout its career including such gems as

which it often performed with

,

which it recorded originally with

and

which it recorded with

. As great as these tunes are the band shines brightest on originals such as

guitarist and band leader

and

as well as longest serving member

horn driven instrumental tour de force

The band also breathes surprising new life into the Hank William chestnut

with

leading the way on clarinet. While renowned for its sparkling horn section, which provides both background spice and attention grabbing solos, the band has always also had top notch guitarists starting with founding member

. Current guitarist

continues that tradition with his incendiary soloing on

and his own

While the vocalist slot probably has the largest alumni club,

acquits himself extraordinarily well on this recording with his big lunged vocals that provide a perfect foil for the swinging groove of the horns. This is a top notch release that every lover of classicR & B and blues should own. SMITTY