Our regular readers will certainly recognize this bands name.  "HEARTLESS", by BLUE VOODOO, is the bands third release to make it to these pages.  With all of the original players in place, the only noticeable change is the play on the bands name.  Just as bands once known as the Supremes and the Four Seasons came to be called Diana Ross and the Supremes and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, BLUE VOODOO is now calling themselves B J ALLEN & BLUE VOODOO.  Rightfully so!   

 

    Speaking of those players, they are:  B J ALLEN on lead & background vocals, JERRY FULLER on guitar & keyboards, J P HURD on bass & harp, DAVID DANIELS on drums and DEREK DANIELS on percussion.

 

    On the opening track, B J offers some of the best advice I've ever heard.....You just "DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MISSIN" till you sit down and listen to the blues.  I've always felt that there are a lot more people out there who actually like the blues - they just don't know it.  The problem is that while they're listening, they just don't realize they're listening to the blues.  On the lyrics alone, this one rates song of the year consideration.  On top of that, B J never sounded better than she does right here.  The band just locks themselves into a great groove and lets her do her thing - belting out the blues in an oh so sass-soul-sultry way. 

 

    "RADIO SONG" starts off with a killer 30 second harp intro and features J P getting in a lot more licks throughout.  With this one being one of the real blues burners, you can bet that JERRY'S right there with him on guitar as well.   In the meantime, B J and the rhythm guys are doing their usual inspiring stuff.  I can't believe I've been listening to this disc for about 40 minutes now and I'm still on the second track.  This is the kind of stuff replay buttons were invented for.

 

    If you don't agree with me that this track just reeks of emotion and intensity, then you are absolutely "HEARTLESS".  On this, the title track, B J just pours it all out, and then some.  This is the kind of song that during a live performance no one in the audience is making a peep.....and if they are, the person next to them needs to slap them upside the head.  This one defines the term "Blues with a feeling".

 

    On this next track, BLUE VOODOO seem to be a little funk-strated.  While lyrically letting us know that they are frustrated with the worlds problems and pronounce that it's time we "DO SOMETHING", they're also in one hell of a funky groove.  JERRY, J P and DAVID - on organ, bass and drums - supply the heat on this smoker.

 

    If you're musical taste includes enjoying songs sung by Dinah, Sarah, Lena and Ella (no last names necessary), then you are going to absolutely enjoy listening to B J sing "SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE".  She absolutely shines on this one.  As a matter of fact, right here in the middle of the review, I'm going to suggest that B J ALLEN & BLUE VOODOO put out a disc of some of the beautiful standards sung by the ladies mentioned.  What do you say, guys? 

 

    Other tracks on  "HEARTLESS" include: "BORDERLINE", "TAKE OUT SOME INSURANCE", "IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU", "TRYIN' TO FIND THE GROOVE", "IRON CITY" and "GET IT WHILE YOU CAN". 

 

    You can check out B J and the guys at www.bluevoodooblues.com. From there you'll be directed to their Sonicbids page.  That's where you're going to contact them, tell them the Blewzzman sent ya, and buy a copy of "HEARTLESS".  

 

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