My Chops Are Rolling!!
EllerSoul Records
I am not sure if Jason Ricci is considered the Bad Boy of the Blues, but he brings a punk attitude along with his harmonica virtuosity to this new release. He is accompanied by his high energy band of John Lisi on guitar and dobro, Andy Kurz on bass, and John Perkins on drums. Kaitlin Dibble adds guest vocals. Most of the songs are originals from Ricci or Lisi.
While if some of the songs might not fit a traditional notion of blues, they are not heavily rocked out, and there is an understated quality in the performance of some songs such as "Break in the Rain," on which Ricci showcases not only his harp chops but his original, imaginative soloing. Lisi's dobro work is also quite evident here. "Don't Badger the Witness," a more traditional blues structure opens with Ricci's full-toned harmonica sports of gravelly vocal, and one wonders if the theme of not badgering the witness arose from his own experiences. Lisi's guitar, with his use of vibrato and tremolo, adds to the performance's atmosphere. The next track, "F_ck the Falcons (Who Dat Nation)," is a celebration of the New Orleans Saints and profanity-filled lambasting of NFL officiating and the NFL Commissioner set to a hot second-line groove with Slats Klug playing accordion and Lisi laying down a memorable solo. The final track "Who Dat Nation" is a radio-friendly version of this.
"Going to California" is a fascinating instrumental that shows how Ricci is not simply a technical virtuoso, but able to spin a jazz-inflected, soulful solo on the chromatic harmonica before Lisi enters with a contrasting high-energy electrified slide solo. It is followed by Kaitlin Dibble's endearing singing on the Barbara Lynn classic, "If You Should Lose Me," with Ricci's accompaniment and solo full of magic. The title track is a funky slice of music as, in what is almost a throwaway vocal, he celebrates his chops rolling and plays some astonishing harp licks against Lisi's funky guitar as the rhythm gets down with the groove.
"The Way I Hurt Myself" is a fabulous slow straight-forward blues performance with an intense vocal, some terrific blues guitar, and an excellent showcase of Ricci's use of tonal and volume dynamics in his pull-out-all-the-stops, three o'clock in the morning solo. It is followed by the energetic rockabilly-styled "Think It Over." Jason Ricci's chops are indeed rolling on a fascinating blend of blues and roots that showcases a broad and engaging musical personality with a tight, driving band.
I received my review copy from EllerSoul Records. Here is Jason Ricci performing this year with Joe Krown, John Fohl and others at the Maple Leaf Bar in New Orleans.
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