BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO  © OCTOBER 2007

 

    I generally like to visit a bands website before starting a review of their CD.  More often than not, some valuable information is available which, from time to time, may be worthy of mention in the review.  On this particular visit I was hoping to discover a clue as to how the band got their name.  Unfortunately, nothing relating to that was found.  However, inasmuch as they may not want that to be known, they do want you to know how to say it.  You can bet I was relieved to see the phonetic explanation of: Pronunciation: wun-twelv-north-duk.  To think, all along I was saying 112 NORTH DUCK.

 

    112 NORTH DUCK'S newest release is titled "I TOOK THE HOOK", and it features eleven outstanding band originals - covering several styles of blues - out of thirteen tracks.   The strong group of talented musicians that make up 112 NORTH DUCK are:  BRENDAN RILEY, vocals, guitar and percussion; MICHAEL BEEBE, guitar and vocals; BRIAN LUGER, bass; J. E. VAN HORN, drums.

 

    On one of my particular favorites, it seems that this poor guy has such a vicious woman, doing him enough emotional harm, that she'd have no problem even bringing a "TEAR TO A GLASS EYE".  Great lyrics and vocals to go along with the very progressive jam the bands got going.  Smokin' rhythm highlights this one.

 

    Some excellent guitar work is to be found on a ballad called "END OF THE ROAD".  This being one of the more traditional blues tracks easily makes it another one of my personal favorites.  J. E. setting the drums on fire is another of this one's highlights.

 

    I'm sure that at the 112 NORTH DUCK live shows, "THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT" is one of their most popular songs.  As a matter of fact, if you listen carefully, you can nearly hear the rowdy crowd singing along with this "Honky-Tonk" like song all the way over here.  OK, maybe not, but I'll betcha they do get into it.

 

    Guitar heads will be airing it out to "SOUL OF THE DUCK".  This four minute instrumental is all about the guitars - lead and bass. 

 

    Country blues is well represented on "THE GAME".  This one's hot.  When it comes on just stop what yer doin' cause yer not goin' to be able to pay attention to anything else.  I guarantee this one will have your fingers snappin', your toes tappin' and your hands slappin'.  Good stuff right here.

 

    Having a woman that can't be satisfied can become a serious problem.  Especially when she goes from being a gold digger to being your "GRAVEDIGGER".  This is good old, low down dirty blues at it's best.  Lots of scorching blues guitar licks accompanied by scorching, soulful blues vocals.

     

     Take the sounds of Jerry Lee Lewis smokin' it on "Great Balls of Fire", mix it with Chuck Berry tearin' it up on "Johnny B Goode", add steroids, and you now have "MOUNTAIN MOVIN' MAMA".  Need I say more? 

 

    Other tracks on "I TOOK THE HOOK" are: "I TOOK THE HOOK", "SHE CAUGHT THE KATY AND LEFT ME A MULE TO RIDE", "ROLLIN' LOW", "THE TURN", "BEHIND THOSE EYES", and "GET AWAY FROM ME".