"MUSTANG SALLY", "STORMY MONDAY BLUES", "COLD SHOT", "WHIPPING POST", "MESSIN' WITH THE KID" and "HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN" cannot be heard on THE CAZANOVAS' "BORROWED TIME".  AMEN!  Now I know it sounds like I just dissed several great blues songs that indeed have been written and performed by some great blues folk, however, there was absolutely no disrespect intended.  Unquestionably, those songs are all classics.  On the other hand, if I took all the discs I receive that you can hear most of  them on, I could build a life size replica of a "RED HOUSE".  Get my drift?

 

    "BORROWED TIME", impressionably and refreshingly, contains ten very well written and very well performed originals, and the people responsible for this pleasurable project are: MAURICE NAZZARO on vocals and harmonica; DANNY VINSON on guitars and background vocals; JOHN WAYNE STRAW on Fender bass; and STEVE "DA WOLFMAN" HARDING on drums and background vocals.  Joining the CAZANOVAS are special guests SEAN COSTELLO on several guitar solos, DAN SEIFERT on Hammond B3, JOHN and NICK LONGO on saxophones and DONNA HOPKINS and LOLA GULLY on background vocals.

 

    My particular favorite track is "LONG TIME".  MAURICE'S harmonica playing is absolutely profound.  His style of play on this track, as well as his vocals, are quite reminiscent of one of my all time favorite singer/harp players - the late and very great William Clarke.  This three and a half minute track could have pleasurably been three and a half minutes longer.

 

    "GIVE IT ALL BACK" is, as the CAZANOVA'S describe their own style of play, "Butt-Rockin' Blues".  I'm betting that "DA WOLFMAN'S" butt was surely rockin' and maybe even poppin' - off the stool that is.  He absolutely tears up the drums on this one.  Lots of rockin' guitar licks and some hot Hammond by DANNY and DAN add to the smoke. 

 

    "THE SHUFFLER" is groovy instrumental that's all guitar and organ.  With a steady and soft rhythm background, the two DAN'S - DANNY VINSON on guitar and DAN SEIFERT on the Hammond organ - take tasteful turns taking the lead. 

 

    On "CRYING TIME" the CAZANOVAS start off in - and never leave - a real smooth, toe-tapping groove.  The rhythm section of JOHN and STEVE set the real nice pace.  Several very nice harp highlights and great vocals by MAURICE and an absolutely fabulous guitar solo by none other than SEAN COSTELLO make this one replay button material.  Another of the discs bests.

 

    The very Delbert McClinton sounding "TOO BAD SO SAD" features a bit of funk from the LONGO BROTHERS horn section.  Unfortunately this is the only track they can be enjoyed on.  This track also features some of DANNY'S best guitar work. 

 

    If you're a bass man, when you insert this disc into your player, go straight to track nine - "BYE BYE BABY".  In spite of some great vocals and harp solos by MAURICE, JOHN steals this one. 

 

    "SUPERNOVA" is an absolute all out free for all instrumental jam.  This one has the CAZANOVAS  simultaneously and franticly peaking.  What a way to end this disc. It's a super song on a super CD by a super group - THE CAZANOVAS.  

 

    If you're one of my readers who happens to reside in, or frequents the Atlanta area, stop in on a CAZANOVAS show and tell them that the Blewzzman told you "they rip".  You can also check the guys out at www.cazanovas.com