Over the past few weeks, I've received way too many discs from local bands, from various areas of the country, containing nothing but overdone cover songs.  After listening to all of them, and realizing that most of them sounded the same, I decided I wouldn't be reviewing any of them........except for one.  True, "Danger Zone" doesn't contain any original music, but since these ten covers are being performed by one of the best new bands I've heard in a long time - the Kansas City Blues Band - I felt I just had to say something about it.

 

    The group, which has extremely impressed me, consists of: Tom Bark on bass and vocals, Rick Hendricks on guitar, Mike O'Neil on drums and tambourine, and Larry Van Loom on Hammond Organ.  Joining them are special guests Steve Glassmeyer on piano, Matt Glassmeyer on sax, Tim Gonzalez on harp and Craig Kew on bass.

 

    As soon as Tom Bark opened his mouth - exactly 34 seconds into the opening track of "Going To Chicago" - he had me hooked.  With a style and sound so similar to one of my all time favorite vocalists - Barkin' Bill, I knew I'd be lovin' this disc.  Then Tim and Larry came in with some serious harp and Hammond highlights, all while the rhythm guys were locked in real tight and I was in my listening glory.

 

    With some intermittent soft, yet sharp, guitar and organ leads thrown in by Rick and Larry, "Room With A View" is highlighted by some of the discs best rhythm.  Tom and Mike are just too sharp on the bass and drums.  This one is so unbelievably smooth.

 

    I found myself really looking forward to hearing this next track - since it is one of my all time favorite jazz songs.  Written by Gene McDaniels - a fellow Missourian, and made very popular by two jazz giants - Les McCann & Eddie Harris, I was anxious to find out if the Kansas City Blues Band did justice to "Compared To What".  On that particular version, Less on Vocals & piano and Eddie on tenor sax, with some wicked percussion backing them up, were flawless as well as relentless.  On this particular version, Mike and Larry provided the percussion heat on the Hammond and drums, Matt covered the tenor work nicely and Tom nailed the vocals.  I don't think I'll ever hear a version better than the one on "Swiss Movement", but these guys did one hell of a job.  For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the song, give this a look..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRONbnyNpu8.

 

    Speaking of which versions of songs are best, right now I'm hearing the best version of "Born In Chicago" I'll ever hear.  Well into the opening, I thought I may have been listening to an instrumental version, and with the rhythm I was hearing behind some great harp and guitar leads that would have suited me just fine.  Then Tom started doing that barkin' thing and I knew I was listening to the discs best track......that is until I heard "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water".  Man I'm loving this disc. 

 

    "Two Years of Torture" would surely be enough to give you the blues and this is one of the more low down and dirty blues tracks.  It's eight minute length, allows time for several well done organ and guitar lead changes. 

 

    Other tracks on this outstanding release include: "Danger Zone", "Laundromat Blues", "Jealous Kind" and "Better Off With The Blues". 

 

    The guys in the Kansas City Blues Band have told me they are already working on a new project that's going to include a lot of original songs and when it's out, you can bet you'll be reading my thoughts on it. I'm already excited.

 

    In the meantime, check them out at www.kansascitybluesband.com, pick up a copy of "Danger Zone", and tell them the Blewzzman sends his regards.

 

Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro

Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com