Dennis Gruenling Ready Or Not

Dennis Gruenling
Ready Or Not
VizzTone

Harmonica wizard Dennis Gruenling has a new release on VizzTone, "Ready Or Not." Like his previous recording, 2012's "Rockin’ All Day," he is backed by guitarist Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones (bassist Andrew Gohman and drummer Michael Bram). Also, Dave Keyes adds piano to 4 tracks and Doug Sasfai adds saxophone to 4 selections and producer Steve Conte adds acoustic guitar to one selection. The liner notes note that the album was focused on a rock and roll styled record, harking back to the 1950s with artists like Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Fats Domino. Gruenling wrote all the songs (some in collaboration) and for the first time takes all the vocals and he comes across credibly with his straight-forward delivery, although his vocals are not on the same level as his harmonica playing. The Jewel Tones and the others certainly do their bit to help create the feel and the lyrics have a school hop flavor.

There are many pleasures starting with the opening Little Richard flavored "Knockin' My Knees," that evokes some of the recordings of Kid Thomas (although Gruenling is somewhat straight-laced compared to Kid Thomas frenzied singing). "Simmer Down" is musically related (not lyrically related) to the Roy Montrell classic "(Everytime I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone" and featured some tasty interplay between Gruenling and Deming. The groove on "Little Sugar," suggests some Gary U.S. Bonds recordings with  very tasty guitar along with a nice harmonica solo, while on "Ready To Burn," it sounds like he sings through his harp mike, giving his vocal a distorted feel matched the hot harp on this. There are two instrumentals, the blistering, "Rockin' With The Rev," and the moody sounding "Count Chromatic," where his fat tone is marked by Deming's Luther Tucker sounding fills that closes the 13 song recording.

"Ready Or Not" is another highly enjoyable recording that fans of Gruenling and Deming will certainly love, and for those unfamiliar with the two, it is musically a solid introduction to the music.

I received my review copy from VizzTone. This review originally appeared in the September-October 2016 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 368). I made a few minor revisions to the review. Here is a video of Dennis performing Count Chromatic."

Doug Deming Asks What's It Gonna Take

“What’s It Gonna Take” by Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones (VizzTone) is a companion release to the recent CD by harmonica wizard, Dennis Gruenling. Like Deming was prominent on Gruenling’s recording, Gruenling is featured with Deming along the Jewel Tones Andrew Gohman on bass and Devin Neel on drums. This release was recorded in Florida and is a strong set of blues and roots music that is as easy on the ears as it is certainly to get the dancers up and on the floor.

7 of the 11 songs on What’s It Gonna Take are Deming originals starting with the title track with its Deming giving his heartfelt plea as to whether his heart is gonna break or what is it gonna take. As on Gruenling’s album, there is spectacular and well crafted harmonica and guitar. I really like Deming's uncluttered, crisp playing. As a vocalist, Doug Deming is an appealing singer and his guitar playing will delight fans of Duke Robillard, Bill Kirchen and similar players.

Think Hard is built on a churning Chicago blues groove with some outstanding saxophone like harmonica behind Deming’s energetic vocal. One Good Reason is a number that evokes Bill Kirchen’s rendition of Hot Rod Lincoln, reflected by Deming’s guitar as well as by Gohman’s slapped upright bass. The group sound terrific on a fine cover of Willie Mabon’s Poison Ivy, with more dazzling harmonica. An Eye For An Eye is a Muddy Waters styled original benefiting from the spare backing as Gruenling again dazzles while Deming's simple driving playing is quite effective. 

No Big Thrill is a fine original suggestive of Sonny Boy Williamson II’s Bring It On Back Home, with Anthony Smith playing the harp here. On a charming rendition of Buddy Johnson’s A Pretty Girl (A Cadillac and Some Money), Gruenling employs the bottom range of his chromatic harmonica while accompanying Deming’s vocal. Gruenling’s spirited, Bella’s Boogie, closes this CD on a dynamic note with lively guitar, a short drum break and dynamic harmonica. It is a performance that again showcases the tight, swinging groves of Deming and the Jewel Tones. 

What’s It Gonna Take is a marvelously performed recording that will delight fans of Chicago and jump blues. 

I received my review copy from VizzTone. Here they are doing Buddy Johnson’s A Pretty Girl (A Cadillac and Some Money).