A G WEINBERGER
"NASHVILLE CALLING"
BIGFOOT RECORDS
BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN" LAURO, COPYRIGHT 2007
 
 
    Anyone out there remember a singer - and I use the term loosely - by the name of Bobby Pickett?  Here's a hint - the bands name was Bobby "Boris" Pickett & the Crypt Kicker Five.  Well back in 1962, and every Halloween since then, he had a hit with a song called "THE MONSTER MASH" - the dance that irked Dracula for replacing his "Transylvania Twist". 
 
    Well, they're still dancing in Transylvania, but A G WEINBERGER - "The Transylvanian Bluesman" now has them doing the boogie-woogie to the blues.  Apparently, over the last few years, the blues have taken Romania by storm.  After listening to "NASHVILLE CALLING", my bets on A G having a lot to do with that.
 
    During his twenty plus years as a musician, singer, song writer, radio host and producer, A G has certainly been involved in his share of musical projects.  On his latest effort, "NASHVILLE CALLING" , A G WEINBERGER, on vocals and lead and rhythm guitars is joined by: PAT BUCHANAN on guitars; TONY HARRELL on Hamond B3 and piano; TOMMY MCDONALD on bass; GLEN WORF on upright bass; TOM HAMBRIDGE on drums; DARREN MOTAMEDY on alto and tenor sax; RAY BALDWIN on trumpet and flugelhorn; JACQUIE WARD and MARGO WILLIAMS on background vocals.  All twelve very well written tracks are a mix of A G WEINGERGER and TOM ( two time Grammy Nominee) HAMBRIDGE originals.  Now lets listen to some of them................
 
    The opening track is an all out jam that quickly gives you an earful of all the talented musicians on the disc.  It's a fast paced number called "YOUR GOOD MAN'S GONE" that features everyone.  The rhythm is awesome, the horns are hot and in addition to outstanding vocals. A G smokes on guitar.  At under three minutes, the track left me wanting a lot more.  But, that's Ok, because there certainly is lots more.
 
    "BREAK THE MAN" is a completely opposite track.  It's a slow soulful ballad which establishes A G's versatility.  Not only can he sing 'em rough and from the gut while wailing on guitar, but he can be soft and soulful while finessing his way around his instrument as well.
 
    Whenever he wants to fill the dance floor, "DON'T KILL THE MELODY IN ME" has got to be A G's go to song.  This is one of those oh so slow and sexy kinda songs.  TONY'S Hammond playing and A G's soft jazzy guitar are a hit together.
 
    "NOT NO MORE" features A G a la Elvis.  It's good ol' rockin' gospel blues that don't get any better than this.  The background vocals are masterful and TOM is kickin' it on the drums. 
 
    "THE PAIN OF LOSING YOU" is perhaps the most down and dirty blues track on "NASHVILLE CALLING.  Saying that is also saying it's unquestionably one of this listener's favorite tracks as well.  The guitar work, the vocals and the emotion with which they're delivered astounded me.  I'm sure this one will give many replay buttons a workout.
 
    If everything I listen to is as good as "NASHVILLE CALLING" - my first review of 2007 - I'm going to be one happy writer.  Check out A G WEINBERGER at www.agweinberger.com and tell Attila that you heard his music's been Blewzz Approved. 
 
 
    This review has been complimentary written for your newsletter by Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro, a contributing writer for BLUESWAX and the Blues Editor at www.Mary4Music.com where you can read many more CD and live show reviews, view lots of blues photographs and find an abundance of blues material. I can be reached at Blewzzman@aol.com