Sugar Blue Colors

Sugar Blue
Colors
Beeble Music

Richard Whiting, better known as Sugar Blue, is amongst the most astonishing musicians in the blues genre. "Colors" is his latest album and an exciting, imaginative romp in the blues and related genres. With Rico McFarland on guitar and others including John B. Gayden or Ilaria Lantieri on bass, and Brady Williams or Yan Bodhoo on drums, and Damiano Della Torre on keyboards, Sugar Blue is heard on a smorgasbord of music.

Sugar Blue is a virtuoso on the harmonica s evident on the opening, "And the Devil Too," a high energy salute to Bo Diddley with a passionate vocal and astonishing harp playing that explores the full tonal range of the instrument. Not as obviously electrifying, but equally brilliant is his acoustic harp playing on his song about the original Lone Ranger "Bass Reeves," or "We'll Be Alright." The latter number is sung with Africa Riz, a Soweto, South Africa youth choir.

His vocals have a clarity, a clean diction, and warmth that perhaps contrasts with his instrumental virtuosity. Still, he pours everything into a startling cover of The Beatles' "Day Tripper." Max DeBernardi's superb fingerpicking guitar and Washboard Chaz's percolating percussion provide the backdrop to the delightful "Good Ole Days." Singing through his harp mike, he delivers a strong vocal on "Man Like Me," where he tells his lover of she didn't make him feels so good, Sugar Blue wouldn't feel bad. This song has another outstanding harmonica solo. With McFarland's terrific guitar, he delivers a straight-forward blues performance that also is a rebuttal on toxic masculinity. On this song, he sings about needing a blue pill, and if he gets down, he may need help getting up. Then there is a wistful ballad, "Shanghai Sunset," where he pays homage to this vibrant city. Guest Ling Bo solos on the sheng, an ancient Chinese reed instrument with an organ-like quality.

"Colors" is a superb recording that transcends merely being a blues recording. It has first-rate backing, fresh and memorable songs along with Sugar Blue's heartfelt vocals and imaginative, virtuoso musicianship. The result is an extraordinary recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist. This review originally appeared in the January-February 2020 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 388). The published review has several errors including capitalization issues which have been corrected here. Here is a preview for this recording.