I always thought that it was the Schuylkill River that ran through Philadelphia, PA and that it was the Delaware River that flowed on the city's eastern border - and in all actuality, they do.  However, give a listen to "MORE FIRE", the debut CD from Philly's NEW PONY, and you might just start thinking that the muddy Mississippi River made it's way into the "City of Brotherly Love".  This disc is full of good ol' N'awlins and Delta blues.

 

    The quartet that make up NEW PONY are: CHRIS DEVENNEY on guitar and vocals; PETE GAFFNEY on keyboards, harmonica, accordion and vocals; MAX GUERIN on bass; DWAYNE HOLLOWAY on drums.  The discs eleven tracks are all band originals, and that in itself deserves kudos. 

 

    The opening track, a smokin' Cajun, number called "FRENCHMAN STREET", immediately had me craving some Jambalaya, Etouffee, Crawfish Pie and Andouille.  I was ready to jump in the car and make the twelve hour drive to The Court of Two Sisters and The Gumbo Shop.  This one featuring great rhythm, hot piano and guitar licks and funky vocals, is already on the discs best list.

 

        "THE SADDEST PART" about this track is that it's not three times longer than it's three minute length.  This is Delta Blues at it's very best.  Very soulful and emotional vocals, soft yet tight rhythm, good blues guitar riffs and steady background organ all highlight this one.

 

    "RECKLESS" is the first track to feature PETE on the harmonica and his playing already has me hoping there are more.  The distinctly different sounding vocals, make it obvious that it's also him doing a great job on the vocals as well.

 

    It's certainly "FAIR" to say that this track is one of the bluer of the bunch.  The organ intro by PETE makes this track likable from the offset and MAX is absolutely outstanding on bass.  Once again, another good vocal job by PETE as well.

 

    "HOW LONG" had me searching the discs jacket looking to see where BOB MARGOLIN was listed as a special guest, but he wasn't.  Any fans of BOB'S will know that with his vocal abilities and his awesome style of slide guitar play, that a tip of the hat needs to go out to CHRIS for emulating that level of quality.

 

    "MORE FIRE" closes out with a track called "WORD ON THE STREET" and my thoughts are that the interpretation on this one goes something like this........"The "WORD ON THE STREET" is that if you like your music filled with funk, spiced up with some Cajun soul and heavy doses of Delta blues, then NEW PONY is your kinda band. 

 

    You can check out the band at www.newponyonline.com.  While your there, tell them they got the Blewzzman's stomach's growling.

    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