Jersey Swamp Cats Go Cat Go!

Jersey Swamp Cats
Go Cat Go!
Self-produced

Fans of jump blues and hot swing will find this debut from the Jersey Swamp Cats to their liking. Comprised of Gerry Gladston on piano, Don Leich on guitar, bassist Larry Ghiorsi and drummer Chris Reardon with all four contributing vocals whether lead or backing. They lay down nine rocking rhythm and blues classics with influences including the like of T-Bone Walker, Fats Domino, Pee Wee Crayton, Professor Longhair and others on a program of five covers and four idiomatic originals.

Things kick off with an exuberant rendition of the Louis Prima's classic, "Jump, Jive and Wail," with a capable vocal, terrific jump blues guitar, and rollicking piano. An original "Cupcake!" is an easy rocking performance with a credible vocal from Leich who also handles the vocal on a straight cover of "Blue Monday" that hews to the Fats Domino hit although Leich is nowhere as strong a singer as Domino. "I Don't Mind" is another original. It has a New Orleans flavor with a melody that evokes "Junco Partner."  Gladston shows restraint in his piano, and there is a strong trumpet solo from guest Patrick Dudasik. Another guest, Anthony Salimene Jr adds saxophone.

There is some terrific playing on "Too Tired" although the vocal sounds forced and lacks the swagger of Johnny 'Guitar' Watson's original. Pianist Gladston sings quite capably on the smooth swing of "Dance All Night!" There is more of a New Orleans groove on the "Tootie Ma is a Big Fine Thing" with quite a good vocal from bassist Ghiorsi while Reardon plays a nice understated second-line groove. Both of these tracks feature the horns and the two horns trade fours on the latter number. "I Get Evil" is based on Albert King's recording of an old Tampa Red classic "Don't You Lie To Me," with fine guitar and Gladston ably singing.

The album closes with some driving hot rod rock and roll, "Shiny Gray Corvette" with Leich and Gladston both singing and a fiery guitar solo. It should be noted that the playing time is around a half-hour, but the performances are tight and concise. The Jersey Swamp Cats are a very talented band, and if the vocals occasionally do not match the terrific playing, "Go Cat Go!" is a completely entertaining recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review appeared in the July-August 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 385), although I made minor stylistic changes. Here is a video of the Jersey Swamp Cats performing recently.