"Stuck With The Blues" is the second release for Brad Vickers and his Vestapolitans (hmmmmm, just what heck is a vestapolitan?).  The disc contains nearly an hour of interesting music which covers several styles, and as many eras, of music.  With the exception of a few covers of some of his inspirations, most of the tracks are band originals. 

 

    Those responsible for this pleasurable listening experience are: Brad Vickers on electric & acoustic guitars and vocals; Arne Englund on piano, electric guitar and vocals; Jim Davis on tenor sax and clarinet; Matt Cowan on baritone sax; Margey Peters on electric bass, fiddle and vocals; Bill Rankin on drums; Dave Gross on upright bass and vocals; V.D. King on acoustic guitar, maracas and vocals; and special guest Bobby Radcliff on electric guitar.  

 

    The disc opens with the title track - "Stuck With The Blues".  An absolutely great vocal duet 'tween Brad and Margey, and several sharp guitar and tenor leads, are just a part of this tracks highlights.  However, it's the rhythm makers that fuel this fire.  Margey, Bill, Arne and Matt are outstanding together on bass, drums, piano and that bottomless baritone.  Good tappin' and snappin' stuff.

 

    The two instrumental interludes that take place during the vocal breaks on "Cold Fish" are both extraordinary.  The first one sounds like it may have captured Jim at disc's best during an extended tenor sax highlight, and the second features Bobby mastering his guitar on a similarly lengthy solo.

 

   "What About Me?" is all about that baby they say the blues had - rock & roll.  This one is - no pun intended - a great ball of fire.  On this original track Brad's nailing it on vocals and guitar, Arne's got ya thinking Jerry Lee on piano and Margey's smokin' up the bass.  By far the hottest track on the disc and with no exaggeration, possibly the hottest track I've heard all year.  Several......make that many....replays were in order here.  

 

    You'll surely hear a resemblance on "Jaguar And The Thunderbird" as Brad covers this Chuck Berry song.  As the title would have you think, the track is about a race - not just lyrically, but musically as well.  

 

    "I Want To Tell You Right Now", that if you play this track in a room full of baby boomers, don't be surprised if you see two parallel lines form with couples taking turns strolling down the middle.  Man, talk about music painting a picture....this one sure did.  This is a classic.

 

    This track finds the band paying tribute to some of the elder states people of the blues because, after all, "They Gave Us The Blues".  It contains a little commentary, good vocal harmony from Brad and the tracks writer Margey, excellent stand up bass from Dave, and great boogie woogie piano playing from Arne.      

 

    The disc closes out with a style of song that's been predominant throughout - an all out jam called "I'm A Love You".  On this one, it's Brad on top of his game with the guitar.

 

    Other tracks on "Stuck With The Blues" include: "I'm Betting On You", "Can't Stand To See You Go", "Deep Elem", "Vestapol Rag", "Winding Boy", "Coming And Going" and "Hobo Jungle".  

 

     Ya know, now that I think about it - being "Stuck With The Blues" isn't a bad thing.  As a matter of fact, after hearing this disc, I actually think it's a good thing.  I highly recommend you contact Brad Vickers at www.myspace.com/vestapolitans, or look him on Facebook, and tell him you want to get "Stuck With The Blues"  too.  Of course you'll tell him the Blewzzman sent ya, but besides that, you may just want to ask him what the heck a vestapolitan is.

 

 

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com