Kevin Selfe And The
Tornadoes
"Playing The
Game"
What's going on up there in the Pacific
North West? Is it the cold air coming down from Canada?
Is there something in the water they're drinking? Or, is there a
finger of the Mississippi River that flows into that part of the country
that I don't know about? Whatever it is, something up there's giving them
the blues - and that's a good thing. Lately, it seems that most of the new
blues talent that I'm finding exciting is coming from that area.
First there was Karen Lovely, then Cee Cee James, and now Kevin Selfe and the
Tornadoes. Keep it coming.
Kevin Selfe And The Tornadoes are a strong three piece
ensemble consisting of Kevin Selfe on guitar, vocals and harmonica, Allen Markel
on bass and backing vocals, and Don Shultz on drums and backing vocals.
Their debut disc - "Playing The Game" - impressively consists of ten Selfe
penned originals. Let's go hear some.........
"How Much Longer?" is my kind
of stuff - eight wonderful minutes of slow, scorching blues. Yeah!
With Allen and Don supplying the very mellow rhythm behind him, this
one's all Kevin. Emotional, soulfully sung lyrics accompanied by low
down, dirty guitar riffs, with both perfectly
performed. This is the blues at it's
best.
Just as the guys did no holding back
whatsoever with their performance of this track, there'll be
no holding back with the clichés to describe it. "Walking Funny" is
a rockin', jumpin', hell raisin', ass kickin', smokin', no holds
barred, roof raisin', all out jam. Simple as that,
nothing more needs to be said - ya just gotta
listen.
"The Way She Moves" will remind
you of how Muddy sang about that 19 year old. It's got that
beat, similar type lyrics, and above all, that killer harp playin' you heard
from many of the greats that blew for him.
Every one of us, at one time in our
lives, has had a "Long Greasy Night", right? "What's that" you
say wondering, as I also did, what the heck a long greasy night is?
Well, once you hear Kevin explain it, you'll agree you've had one. What
won't need explaining is the amazing guitar work. Your ears will
quickly tell you it's some of the best on the disc. The same could be said
for the harp and rhythm, obviously making this another of
the discs best tracks.
With a name like "Pulled
Pork", you might think this is some Memphis sounding blues song which
- as many of these types of songs do - sings about BBQ, hot
sauce or some other types of spicy, deliciously edible products.
Quite the contrary. It's actually a soft, jazzy instrumental with
Kevin, Allen and Don displaying a mastery over their instruments.
Other tracks on "Playing
The Game" include: "Just Like Pulling Teeth", "Blues Don't
Take A Day Off", "Playing The Game", "Lay it On The Table", and "Good
Dog To Kick".
You can check out Kevin Selfe And The
Tornadoes at www.kevinselfe.com. While you're
there, pick up a copy of - what I'm thinking just might be a "Best New
Artist Debut" nominated disc at the 2011 Blues Music Awards - "Playing
The Game". And please, tell Kevin the Blewzzman said "Good
Job".
Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro
Blues Editor @ www.Mary4Music.com