The Smokin' Polecats My Little Baby

The Smokin' Polecats
My Little Baby
Quiet Knight Records

I have been fans of The Smokin' Polecats for over twenty years when they were known as Dave Sherman and the Nightcrawlers. Some time ago the band changed its name to avoid confusion with other bands becoming the Polecats. I can't confirm that the personnel is the same when the Nightcrawlers released "Bad Boy" in 2000. Guitarist and singer Sherman, and harmonica player and singer Roger Edsall are supported here by bassist Leigh Oben and drummer Robbie Leebrick, both of whom have been with the band for a number of years. Handling most of the vocals is Marianna Previti.

On their website the Polecats describe their music: " Their sound comes from the Post-World War 2 ensemble sound of the Chicago Masters like Jimmy Rogers, Little Walter, and Hubert Sumlin; the West Coast Jump/Swing sound of Tiny Grimes, Pee Wee Crayton, and T-Bone Walker; the Rock'a'Billy sound of Carl Perkins and Johnny Burnette; and the Louisiana swamp blues of Slim Harpo." Included here are songs from James Harman and the Fabulous Thunderbirds to give a more concrete sense of what one will hear here.

As might be expected, this a finely tuned, swinging musical band with a tight rhythm section. Edsall has a fat tone while Sherman plays his well crafted, imaginative solos with fluidity and clarity. Vocalist Previti has an appealing style, with a jazzy tinge in her phrasing and vocal shadings, evocative of vintage singers such as Ella Johnson, and Helen Humes. This becomes evident with the rendition of James Harman's "Darlin'" that opens this set, as well as her lively scatting in interpreting Annie Laurie's late forties New Orleans jump blues "My Rough and Ready Man." On this track, Edsall's saxophone like harmonica and Sherman's T-Bone Walker inspired solo add to one's enjoyment.

The title track by Sherman is a brisk number with a rockabilly flavor. The rendition of Hank Snow's "I Don't Hurt Anymore" is based on Dinah Washington's interpretation with Previti singing quite fervently and Edsall adding a very strong harmonica solo. The Polecats provide a swamp blues accompaniment to the reworking of J.B. Lenoir's "Mojo Boogie," while the interpretation of Kim Wilson's "I Believe I'm in Love With You" is a spirited duet by Previti and Edsall. With Edsall's chromatic harmonica adding horn-like backing, Sherman and Previti do a delightful rendition of the Brooks Benton-Dinah Washington classic, "Baby You Got What It Takes."

A vibrant instrumental "Jumpin' Bad," closes a most entertaining, well played and sung CD of blues and roots. It is available at CDBaby and other outlets.

I received my review copy from Dave Sherman. Here is a video of the title track with Sarah Gardner joining Marianna Previti.