Tas Cru – You Keep the Money | Album Review

Tas Cru – You Keep the Money

Crustee Tees Records

www.tascru.com

12 tracks / 56:25

Tas Cru’s sixth album, You Keep the Money, did really well last year as it debuted at #1 on the Roots Music Report and at #2 on the Living Blues chart. This was no anomaly as this New York-based singer, songwriter and guitarist delivered a smart package of modern blues that was well written and recorded. I think it is the best work that he has done so far, which is saying something as his other CDs are pretty good too!

I could have thrown together Tas’ biography and background for you, but what he does now is so very relevant that I want to tell everybody about it. You see, besides being a stone-cold professional bluesman he is also a stellar dude that gives a lot of himself to the world. He is a blues educator who presents his workshops to schools, hospitals and community centers. He has also recorded two blues albums just for kids, and was recognized for his work with the 2014 Blues Foundation's Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Blues Education.

Tas wrote all twelve of the songs on this record, as well as handling the lead vocals and guitars. A medium-sized crew came along to the studio to join him, including Mary Ann Casale on backing vocals and dulcimer, Bob Purdy on bass, Dave Olson and Bob Holz on drums, Dick Earl Ericksen on the harp, and keys courtesy of Chip Lampson and Guy Nirelli.

The first tune in this nearly hour-long set is the title track which is derived from a conversation that Tas Cru had with the legendary T-Model Ford. This occurred at a benefit show for T-Model, who was a little disconcerted that the band was working for free. There is a fat sound to this piece with a funky beat that features Purdy’s super-fat bass and an abundance of Hammond from Nirelli. Dick Earl Ericksen is hot on the harp and he very effectively trades riffs with Cru’s guitar.

Tas included a slow and sweet instrumental, “La Belle Poutine,” which is one of my favorite tracks on the disc. With no vocals it is easy to focus on Tas’ guitar, and it is smooth and melodic with a great touch and tone. Electric piano from Lampson and extra percussion from Ron Keck give this song a 1970s feel, and it comes out as sort of a mash-up of Robin Trower and Gary Moore. I wonder if this tune was named after a restaurant I went to in New Orleans a while back…

Another cool song is “One Bad Habit,” a cool shuffle that features lovely harmonies from Casale and Alice “Honeybea” Ericksen. The beat on this one is perfect, and it is a joy to listen to a backline is that is so tight.

The disc closes with roots and blues, and “Thinking How to Tell Me Goodbye” makes heavy use of acoustic, electric, and slide guitars. The lyrics are a nice twist on the usual break-up song, and when combined with unique (and constantly changing) arrangements of instruments, make this a song that can be listened to more than once before you figured out exactly what is going on.

You Keep the Money is a solid album from Tas Cru and you should head over to his website and give it a listen. While you are there, check out his show schedule and think about picking up a copy of his latest kid’s album for the young ones in your life. Not only will you be spreading the good news of the blues, but the proceeds go towards the Blues Hall of Fame too. How could you go wrong?

Jeff Jensen – The River City Sessions | Album Review

Jeff Jensen – The River City Sessions

Swingsuit Records

ww.jeffjensenband.com

www.swingsuitrecords.com

12 tracks / 67:00

Jeff Jensen is one of the most energetic and engaging performers on today’s music scene, and his live shows are an amazing blend of the blues, funk, rock, and roots genres. You may know Jeff from his last release, Morose Elephant, which was an excellent album. This left coast bluesman has done wonderful work since his move to Memphis in 2011 (where he was director for Brandon Santini’s band), and since then his grueling solo tour schedule has continued unabated.

His latest disc is The River City Sessions, a live show that was recorded in December 2015 at the Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee with an audience of the band’s fans in attendance. Jeff provided the guitars and vocals for this show and was joined by Bill Ruffino on bass and Robinson Bridgeforth on the skins. This club-friendly set included eight original songs and three cool covers.

After a quick intro from the famed Memphis bassman, Leo Goff, the band kicks off with a searing rendition of T-Bone Walkers’s “T-Bone Shuffle,” complete with an almost jazz-like interlude. Jeff has a tremendous vocal range that comes off as natural and relaxed, and his guitar chops are first-rate. This is pretty much one of the best live shows you will hear, as in the controlled environment it is easier to get everything at the right levels. So, the end result is a studio album with the spontaneity and audience reactions of a live show. One take!

From there they segue into an original, “Make it Through,” which is more casual with a gulf coast feel. This fun blues-rock tune highlights the tightness and talent of Ruffino and Bridgeforth’s backline. Then, “Empty Bottles” uses more light-hearted lyrics over a simple beat to show another side of the band’s ability. Jeff lays down a smooth solo, and eventually the tune flips into a full-blown rocker.

The band included a couple of instrumentals to break up the set. “JJ Boogie” starts out with the audience enthusiastically clapping along and once the band get going on this driving song it becomes hard to believe that there are only three of them on stage. Changes in dynamics keep things interesting, and there is no boring flailing on the instruments to be found here. In fact, this is the most kick-ass instrumental blues that I have heard in a long, long time. The other instrumental is “Elephant Blue” (from the Morose Elephant album), and this up-tempo piece features chords that give it an Eastern European mood. You will even hear a bass solo here, and it actually good with no gratuitous popping or slapping.

Jensen and his friends came up with a couple of other covers for the audience’s entertainment. Tom Waits’ “Hear Attack and Vine” (also covered on the Road Worn and Ragged disc) is more conventionally constructed and accessible than the original, and Jeff hollers out Waits’ horrible lyrics that expose the darkness of man while Bridgeforth hits the drums with everything he has. The group finishes up the CD with Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower,” and after a jazzy intro they turn it into something bluesier than Bob’s version, and smoother than how Hendrix played it. Pretty much it became a Jeff Jensen song at this point, which is a good thing.

If Jeff Jensen and the band needed to find gigs, The River City Sessions would be the perfect demo and would surely get them plenty of work. But looking over their website, it appears that they are really busy with a European tour, and there are many US dates scheduled after they get home. So, you need to give it a listen for yourself and use what you hear for motivation to get off the sofa and head out to one of their shows. This could be your ticket to the Jeff Jensen experience!

Squier Bullet Strat HH Electric Guitar Review

Aloha!

It used to be that entry level guitars were miserable and unplayable instruments that were likely to discourage a novice player from practicing. There are still plenty of axes out there like that, but there are also a surprising number of pretty good six-strings that you can buy new for under 200 bucks. The Squier Bullet Strat HH that we are looking at today is in this latter group, and you could sure do a lot worse things with your money.

This Strat was built in Indonesia in 2014, and it is finished in a breathtaking Sparkle Red poly with a nicely contrasting single-ply white pickguard. Obviously it has the traditional Fender shape, and this time the body is carved out of basswood. This is a great tone wood (in my opinion), and it is certainly lightweight and easy to shape. But this wood is also pretty soft, so you have to be careful about dinging it.

There is also the usual Fender-shaped headstock at the end of the maple neck. A nice rosewood fretboard caps this off; it has a 9.5-inch radius with 21 medium jumbo frets sunk into it. The frets are fairly well done and they are level enough. The edges are good enough, with no sharp edges or bevels that are too aggressive. By the way, this is a conventional 25 ½-inch scale guitar, and the nut has the normal 42mm width.

The hardware is fairly standard with a cheap-o tremolo and sealed tuners. Though the machine heads are cheap, they hold well. Then things get a little oddball with the electronics package, as this Strat is a more rock-oriented instrument. Instead of three single coils, it comes with two humbuckers wired through a three-way switch. Seems like a weird combination for a Stratocaster, but it is certainly workable.

Putting all of this together, and you end up with a decent instrument. It certainly looks good, but it also plays well (after a basic set-up) and sounds surprisingly good. It does not sound very much like a Strat as it has a lot more output and fatness, but it is also has a lot less noise than single-coil equipped guitars. It will get the job done, for sure.

As I said earlier, this is an entry level guitar, and it is certainly worth the money. The Squier Bullet Strat HH has a list price of $249 and a street price of $149, but if you look around you can usually find them on sale for around $100. This does not include a case or gig bag, but it is still one of the best deals you will find for a playable starter guitar. Check one out if you get the chance!

Mahalo!

Blues Blast Magazine Album Review: Marlon McClain – TBC

This CD review was originally published in the December 25, 2014 edition of Blues Blast Magazine. Be sure to check out the rest of the magazine at www.bluesblastmagazine.com

Marlon McClain – TBC

Mac Man Music

9 tracks / 37:06

There are a few folks in the music industry that seem to always be busy and plugged into many diverse projects, and Marlon L. McClain is a shining example of this. After cutting his teeth in Portland, Oregon’s favorite funk band of the 1970s’, Pleasure, he had a stint with the Dazz Band before demand for his writing and producing sent him behind the stage. After many successes with artists as diverse as George Clinton, Tower of Power, George Benson, Kenny G and Joan Baez, he is finally back to making his own music for us to enjoy.

Over the past four decades, McClain has only had time to record three solo discs: Changes in 1981, TBD in 2010, and this year’s release, TBC. Marlon wrote all nine songs on this latest self-produced album, and he also took care of the guitars and keyboards. Al Turner laid down the bass lines, Thomas McElroy played the keyboards, and the drum parts were all handled electronically, with programming by McClain, McElroy, Soulpersona, and Ken Sato. Do not get the impression that this is some sort of 1980s beat box album, though – the drums sound real and are spot on throughout.

The tracks are mostly instrumentals with vocals added here and there as needed to accentuate the action, including the opener, “Me & You.” This is a super-funky tune with jazz influences that shows what a masterful guitarist Marlon is, and his playing is as smooth as silk. Guest artist Curtis Salgado brought his harmonica in for this song, and he does a fabulous job of mimicking McClain’s lines, so that at times it sounds like there are two guitars playing.

After listening to the rest of the tracks, it would be difficult to categorize this record into any one genre, as there is a little bit of everything, but if you dig deep enough there a foundation of funk for all of them. The most divergent song from the blues would be “Positivity,” a bouncy dance track with a disco groove and tightly intertwined guitar/vocal lines. You will also find that “Step into the Light:” is quite danceable, though at a slower and sultrier pace.

Blues-rock is represented in the mix, too, with the harder-hitting “Radiation Blues” which has minimal vocals, round bass, tons of high hat, and smoking guitar from McClain. This is a marked contrast from “That Ain’t Right,” which is more of a loose funky jam session, with a cool give and take between Marlon and Turner’s killer bass lines – it is almost like the whole song was built over a bass solo, which is not something you will find on your average blues album.

There are fairly drastic changes of pace and feel from track to track. For example, “Tokyo Time“ is smooth and jazzy with a laid-back vibe, and then the listener is hit with “GWUWGWUN.” This song has a lot plenty going on, besides a lot of consonants and an unpronounceable title. Marlon’s guitars are up front in this fast-paced tune, but there is also a lot of synthesizer work with simulated flute and trumpet patches, and all of this is playing all over a popping and funky bass line. Both of these instrumentals are catchy and could get stuck in your head for days, which is not a bad thing in this case.

The last song in the set is “You Know,” which is notable for its simple lyrics and complex guitar lines. It is a healthy dose of funky rhythm and blues with more layers of guitar than you can count, and all of them are soaked with distortion and wah pedal galore. After only 37 minutes the album ends, and it definitely leaves the listener wanting more – a few more tracks would have been welcome. We can only hope that Marlon heads back to the studio again soon, as his songs are well written and are a pleasure to listen to.

There is a lot to like about Marlon McClain’s TBC – it has catchy songs that cross genres and hypnotizing grooves that would make it an awesome party soundtrack or even a nice pick-me-up for the morning drive to work to brighten up an otherwise gloomy day. If you like your blues on the jazzier side with a healthy helping of funk, this might be just what you are looking for!

Mahalo!

Candye Kane: November 13, 1965 to May 6, 2016

Rest in peace, my sister. You will be missed.

Sterling by MusicMan Ray34CAFL Bass Review

Aloha!

Today we are looking at a very nice Sterling by MusicMan Ray34CAFL fretless bass guitar. For those of you that are not familiar with the brand, here is a little background of this MusicMan bass copy:

If you have been shopping lately you know that MusicMan instruments are pretty expensive, and are financially out of reach for many beginning musicians. In an effort to provide reasonably priced quality instruments to this crowd, the Ernie Ball Company made a deal with Praxis to sell imported versions of popular MusicMan guitars and basses. They named the brand “Sterling by MusicMan”, which is confusing as there was already a MusicMan Sterling bass on the market. Oh well!

Sterling instruments are very good and are made from nice woods, and are equipped with good quality hardware and electronics. They are made in Indonesia, and are inspected and set-up by Praxis in Orange, California.

The bass we have here today is a copy of the MusicMan Stingray. Thank god it is not a copy of the Sterling, because then it would be a Sterling Sterling, if you will. See what I mean about the brand name being confusing?

This one is a recent production Ray, and it is finished in glossy black over its ash body. The body has the same shape and contours as its MusicMan cousin. The paintwork is first rate and the neck and body fit very well together.

All of the hardware is heavily chromed, and is heavy duty, but lacks the MusicMan logos. The tuners hold well, and the high-mass bridge is bolted to the body, just as it would be on the MusicMan version. The 2-band pre-amp and electronics are very good. There is a genuine MusicMan alnico magnet humbucker and this is a very loud bass with an edgy tone, leaving nothing on the table. The 6-bolt neck is good, and it has the Stingray feel down. Of course this one if fretless, so I cannot play it worth a hill of beans, but it is nice. Sterling has adopted the truss rod wheel too, so adjustments are a snap.

This bass is growly as all get out, and it has a smooth and playable neck and action, making it a true winner. The only reason I sold this bass was that right now I prefer narrow jazz-width necks (plus there is that whole fretless thing), so this was not really working for me.

The Sterling Ray34CAFL basses have a list price of $1143 and a minimum advertised price of $720, which is pretty reasonable for a nice bass. But they do not do very well on the resell market, and this is not a lot less than you will pay for a used American-made Musicman that will hold its value forever. So, the choice is yours…

Mahalo!

Jeff Chaz – Sounds Like the Blues to Me | Album Review

Jeff Chaz – Sounds Like the Blues to Me

JCP Records

www.jeffchazblues.com

12 tracks / 58:00

Though he was born in Louisiana, there is a bit of Memphis soul in Jeff Chaz’s sound, which is not too surprising as that is where he learned blues guitar and honed his unique vocal style. Though he kicked back and forth across the country playing trombone and trumpet he ended up sticking with the guitar, and in the mid 1990s he finally made his way home to the Sportsman’s Paradise, where he tears things on a regular basis with his high-energy live shows.

Sounds Like the Blues to Me is Jeff’s latest disc, and it is a worthy follow-up to his very good Chronicles CD. This collection of a dozen original songs features Chaz on guitars and vocals, Doug Therrien on bass, John Autin on keys, Doug Belote with most of the drums, and a horn section of A.J. Pittman and Ward Smith. All of the songs are fun, and there is any easygoing vibe to the proceedings; it must have been a blast during recording sessions at Radionic Studio in Jefferson, Louisiana!

The set kicks off with the title track, and “Sounds Like the Blues to Me” is an upbeat and funky piece of work thanks to Autin’s organ. The band is tight, with a killer backline provided by Belote and Therrien, and Chaz throws down a couple of nice solos when he is not growling out vocals that smack of infidelity. This is followed-up by “Make Love to You in the Sand” a Crescent City-inspired tune with great storytelling that brings the trumpet and sax into play, and you will hear that Pittman did a marvelous job with the horn arrangements.

After this, things slow down with the jazzy “Hitchhiking in the Rain,” in which Jeff howls and bemoans the fate of a lover who gets left behind in the dust. Allyn Robinson picks up the drumsticks on this one, and Autin switches over the piano, laying down some pretty slick barroom improvisation over Therrien’s bass. Then the band goes straight back into the thick of things with a little bit of horn-infused action and spoken word in “I Am the Blues.”

From there, the party carries on with furious abandon. There are a few tunes that should be called out, though. Jeff gives his voice a break on the instrumental “Mt. Vernon Blues,” and his guitar leads have an almost Hawaiian vibe while Therrien hammers on his bass. And there is a lot of humor to be found in the funkfest, “I’m Goin’ After Moby Dick in a Rowboat.” But above it all is the standout track, “You Look So Good to Me,” a jump blues track where the horns are just right and Chaz’s guitar work is sublime.

Before you know it, this hour-long set comes to a close with “You’re Bound to Get Us Both Hung,” a scorching electric blues song which revisits the cheatin’ theme that the album started with. This is one of the more intense tracks on the album with Jeff screaming the vocals and tearing the fretboard off of his six-string with reckless aplomb. There is nothing like ending on a high note!

Sounds like the Blues to Me is an awesome new release from Jeff Chaz, and it hints at how cool his live show must be. There is a reason he has played with heavy hitters like Albert King, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Cab Calloway, after all. Hopefully he will be in Nola next month when I visit, as I will definitely have to make time to track him down!