BLUEHOUSE
BAND
"WHO'S IN THE
HOUSE"?
BEKAM
RECORDS
BY PETER "BLEWZZMAN"
LAURO © DECEMBER 2007
Lead Guitar, Bass
and Drums - it just doesn't get any more basic than that -there you have your
fundamental three piece blues band. However, when that three piece blues
band is the BLUEHOUSE BAND, the words basic and fundamental seem to take on
whole new meanings.
The BLUEHOUSE BAND
consists of ROBBIE ALTAR on Lead Guitar and Vocals, RICHIE GOLDMAN on
Bass Guitar, Bass Fiddle and Vocals and BOBBY "BBG" GOLDMAN on
Drums and Spoons. Special guests on individual tracks
of "WHO'S IN THE HOUSE?" are: HOLLY DOHERTY on Vocals, BRYAN
BASSETT on Slide Guitar, MICHAEL MARCIANO on Harp and the MOUNT BETHEL MUSIC
MINISTRY CHOIR.
Local three piece
bands, especially those who's members all have successful day jobs - as
ALTAR, RICHIE and BBG do - are usually content with playing covers from the slew
of artists available. Not these guys. On "WHO'S IN THE
HOUSE?", their debut release, all thirteen tracks, except for the 40
seconds of "Over the Rainbow" used as the intro on "BLUESMAN TIM",
are band originals.
"WHO'S IN THE
HOUSE" opens with a dynamite track appropriately titled
"DYNOMITE". It's a total all out, no holds barred jam, in which
the guys waste no time letting you know they can kick some musical ass. It's
pretty much what you should expect to hear lots more of on the next dozen tracks
- and that's a good thing.
BLUEHOUSE gets into
more of a traditional mode on "MAYBE SOMEDAY". With RICHIE and
BBG locked into a smooth groove on bass and drums, ALTAR (as he likes to be
called) cuts it loose with lots of sharp blues guitar highlights and
excellent vocal work.
To say that "BANG,
BANG, BANG" totally rips is extremely understating it. This one's like
"Helter Skelter" taking a ride in a "Hot Rod Lincoln". It features
some of the best, and certainly the most furious rhythm on the
track, it's got MICHAEL blowing some ferocious wind into the harp and
ALTAR at his discs best on vocals. WARNING: Listening to this
track while driving may result in speeding citations - do so at your own
risk!
The title says it
all on "JUMPIN", and unless you're in a coma, that's exactly what
this track will have you doin'. No further explanation necessary for
this one.
If you've ever
traveled Highway I-95, there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that you've
been in some type of horrific situation that made you think "There's got to
be a blues song in here somewhere". Well, BLUEHOUSE wrote it -
"I-95" - and the lyrics could not have been more perfect.
Some of the discs
best harmony can be heard on "GIMME THE NEWS", which features HOLLY
DOHERTY on vocals and backup vocals. Unfortunately, the song is short and
it's HOLLY'S only appearance. However, if she impresses you as much as she
did me, you'll hit replay at least 4-5 times. HOLLY'S, sharp, strong and
sure vocals highlight this one.
Having known the
person that the next song is dedicated to - "BLUESMAN TIM" - makes it a
bit special. Before moving on to that Big Blues Club in the sky, TIM
pretty much never missed a live BLUEHOUSE show . And, if ALTAR, RICHIE
and BBG have anything to say about it, he never will. The guys
wrote this song in his memory and play it at every gig making sure, that
even if it's in spirit only, TIM will always be at their shows. This
hot Gospel Blues track is highlighted by ALTAR'S vocals and guitar,
the back up vocals of the MOUNT BETHEL MUSIC MINISTRY CHOIR
and smokin' rhythm that I'm sure will have you throwin' your hands in
the air for TIM.
Over the last few
years I have had the pleasure of being at many of this bands live
performances. From experience, let me tell you that the BLUEHOUSE
BAND is a powerhouse trio that will rock your house.
Stop by www.bluehouseband.com and tell the
guys that their friend the Blewzzman sent you. Of course, while your
there, I'd recommend you add a copy of "WHO'S IN THE HOUSE?"
to your CD collection.
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