Having formerly lived, for a very long time, in the area where THE NUCKBUSTERS have - and continue to play their locals gigs, I can't even begin to count the number of times I've seen their act live.  Their leader, FRANK WARD, is probably South Florida's best known and liked musician, or better yet, best known and liked person.  Using the cliche "He's a musician's musician" wouldn't even sum it up.  FRANK'S bands have played every local club, every charitable event, every festival, he hosts jams, attends other musicians jams, and when he isn't working, you can bet you'll see him happily handing over the cover charge to see his peers, or whichever national touring act may be in town.  I have virtually see him perform in several hundred different ensembles.  During those times, never once did I see him not have a smile on his face or ever try to steal the show.  It's a tremendous pleasure, and equally tremendous honor, to be able to say what I'm about to say about FRANK WARD & THE NUCKLEBUSTERS BLUES BAND................

 

 

    THE NUCKLEBUSTERS BLUES BAND consists of FRANK WARD on guitar and vocals, SHELDON "UNCLE SHELLY" VOSS on bass,  TIM "TIMMAH" KUCHTA on drums, and JOE SAINT on Hammond organ. 

 

    "SOMEBODY BETTER HAVE MY MONEY" is the bands third release and I get the feeling, from what I'm listening to, this is the one - that with a bit of the luck that it takes for things like this to happen, may get them more than local recognition.  Adding the Hammond organ, especially the way JOE makes it sound will certainly be a factor in the bands eminent success. 

 

    "SOMEBODY BETTER HAVE MY MONEY" opens with two profound instrumentals, "WHITE SHADOW" and "DOWN BY THE C SIDE".  One's slow and funky and the other is fast and furious, with both emphasizing the high caliber musicianship involved.  JOE'S organ work is mesmerizing, FRANK sounds as if he's reached his pinnacle of playing, and SHELDON and TIM are absolutely phenomenal.  Kudos also deserve to go out to BRIAN FITZPATRICK.  His mixing and engineering had each instrument sounding so precise, obviously heightening the quality of these instrumentals.  I could have easily listened to fifty more minutes of this.

    

    Is it his sense of humor that FRANK displays on an original called "EX-WIFE", or is it sheer frustration?  Well, hearing him sing "I've got an ex-wife, who's trying to run my life.....I've got a mother-in-law, with a voice like a chain saw.....I've got attorney's fees, somebody shoot me please" - I gotta think it's a little of both.  Thankfully, taking some of that frustration out on his guitar leads to some of FRANK'S best work being heard on this track.  To those familiar with him, FRANK'S fondness of Ronnie Earl should be noticed here.

 

    "BABY PLEASE DON'T GO" is a six minute, all out progressive jam on which TIM shines on the drums.  You know those situations where you're about to do something you've done so many times before, and this particular time you want to do it better than you ever had - I mean really better?  On this track, it sounds to me as if TIM is having one of those times.  This is one of this discs many highlights.

 

    The NUCKLEBUSTERS pay tribute to Ronnie Earl, FRANK'S main inspiration, by doing a phenomenal rendition of "AKOS".  At the risk of sounding redundant, it's another masterful instrumental in which everyone seems to be peaking.  The rhythm section reached fast and furious then locked into cruise control while FRANK and JOE took turns tearing it up on guitar and organ.  Again, one of the discs best.

 

    Slowing things down a bit - but not for very long, the guys do a great version of Little Willie John's "NEED YOUR LOVE SO BAD".  This one is highlighted by UNCLE SHELLY doing a magnificent job with some very smooth and soulful vocals. 

 

    More excellent guitar work can be heard on one of my favorite songs, by one of my favorite artists,  "I'LL PLAY THE BLUES FOR YOU" by Albert King.  Once again, FRANK and JOE do an excellent job sharing the leads on the guitar and the organ.  More great stuff here.

 

    Other very well done tracks on "SOMEBODY BETTER HAVE MY MONEY", which totals well over an hour of real good music are:  "I'M WALKING OUT ON YOU", "THE NUCKLEBUCK".....errr, just kidding, that would be "THE HUCKLEBUCK", "LITTLE BY LITTLE", "PARTY GIRL", "I GOT MONEY", "LAYIN' IN THE ALLEY" and "I CAN'T LOSE". 

 

    Of course, you can check out THE NUCKLEBUSTER BLUES BAND by logging onto www.nucklebusters.com. While you're there, tell the guys you wanna be a the same kinda "nucklehead" that Pete the Blewzzman is.