Used to be if someone told me I was a bone head, they'd be very likely to get slapped up side their head.  That was, however, prior to having discovered the debut CD from a band that's spreading the blues up in the Pacific Northwest - BOOGIE BONE.  Just give a listen to their self named CD "BOOGIE BONE", and you, just like me, will be a "bone head" too.

 

    BOOGIE BONE is a group of five musicians, who while attending school at Boogie High, all failed Math, Science and English, yet all got an A+ in Band (sorry, you've gotta see the CD to be in on that joke).  These educated, and very talented musicians are "HOWLIN" JAKE JOHNSON on vocals, STEVE "FANGERS" WILLIAMS on guitars, TODD "SPUD MONEY" STEVENS on drums, HENRY "GROOVE MASTER" GAVALDON on bass and STEVE "TRIPLE THREAT" SNYDER on sax, harp and keyboards.  And yes, their music IS as cool as their nicknames.  Let me tell ya 'bout a few of the tracks that got my bones boogieing.

 

    Nowhere in this review will you ever hear the words - "AIN'T NO GOOD".  Unless, of course, it's to mention the title of one of the disc's hottest tracks.  Caution should be used if listening to this track - which starts out fast and continuously get faster - while driving.  This one features some of the best rhythm that's ever vibrated this listeners ear drums.  Speaking of drums, TODD is at discs - and for all I know, maybe his career best - on this one.  I don't know about him, but if this keeps up, I'm going to be out of breath by the end of this review.  Adding in some hot guitar licks by STEVE and great vocals by JAKE make this one of BOOGIE BONES' best.

 

    After the pace not dropping a notch on "MEAN STREAK WOMAN", the guys settle down nicely into a more traditional blues number called "CHEATIN' HEART".  This one features lots of sharp harp by STEVE, the usual smoke from TODD and great bass lines from HANK.

 

    "WHAT I NEED" is the same thing I always need - good ol' straight down the alley blues.  And I'm getting my needs filled right now.  With HANK and TODD providing a nice slow rhythm - well, slow for them anyway -  the two STEVE'S take turns turning up the heat.  First is STEVE SNYDER with a scorching sax solo, followed by STEVE W. - not allowing himself to be out-scorched - putting out some serious blues licks.  Of course, all this is happening in between JAKE showing how he got "HOWLIN" for a nickname.  More great stuff here.

 

    Although I prefer mine seven days a week, sometimes "WEEKEND BLUES" just has to do.  This one finds the guys doing what most of us do on the weekends - cuttin' it loose.  It's a short three and a half minute song featuring everyone in a cool little jam. 

 

    If you haven't "GOT THE FEVA", this one will give it to ya.  This is unquestionably the one that gets BOOGIE BONES' live audiences dancing.  I dare you to listen to this one and not move - I couldn't.  This one had even my old bones shaking.  Once again, - great rhythm, good harp and some of the disc's best guitar work.

 

    Other tracks featured on "BOOGIE BONE" are: "MAMA TOLD ME", "WORKING CLASS STIFF", "BLUE SEA BOOGIE" and "SEE THROUGH IT". 

 

    Check out the BOOGIE BONE BAND at www.boogieboneband.com and tell them you, like the Blewzzman, want to become a "bone head"

 

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com