By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © January 2011

Here I go, starting off another new year doing my favorite thing - listening to and writing about good blues music......make that very good blues music. Although it's a new year, the artist kicking it off is certainly no newcomer. With "Nasty Man" being his fourth solo release it's safe to say that Rickey Godfrey is a seasoned veteran.

Rickey Godfrey, on guitar, keyboards, vocals, synthetic horns and background vocals, is also the writer of ten of the disc's twelve tracks. He's joined by George Perelli, Michael Grando and Tez Sherrard on drums, Franklin Wilkie and Doug Seibert on bass, Don Wise on saxophone and Shaun Murphy, Ronnie Godfrey, Kim Morrison Godfrey and Angel Rissoff on background vocals.

As he candidly describes the women of his dreams, it's quite obvious that Rickey is easy to please. His only demand is that she be a "Nasty Woman". No champagne drinking, bubble bathers for him - a cigar smoker with holes in her underwear will do just fine. Hard sung vocals, wonderfully amusing lyrics and scorching guitar all make this one a winner.

OK, there seems to be a pattern going on here. Now Rickey's singing about a low maintenance woman whose "Allergic To Mink". While funny, it's funky as well, and that's due to the great rhythm provide by George and Franklin on the drums and bass.

Here's a public service announcement from Rickey...."Don't Argue In The Kitchen". There are just too many pots and pan & forks and knives and you just might lose your life. Musically, this one could very well be the discs best track. It snaps from beginning to end. Led by crisp and wicked drumming from George, the rhythm sets a solid, speedy pace and the whole band just jams along with fantastic results. One of the best vocally as well.

Other than the name of the song, nothing's changed. The band's still tearing it up with everyone going full tilt. It could be because "It's A Good Night To Drink". When this smoker's on, I'm sure it's a good night to dance as well. One hell of a party tune.

Another great track is "Johnny Jones". It's dedicated to a very dear friend of Rickey's - the late Nashville Bluesman who passed away in 2009. Johnny's was known for playin' those low down nasty blues and that's exactly what this one's all about. With the band tightly tucked into a bluesy groove, Rickey shines on this one. His soulful and sincere vocals clearly make it known how much he misses Johnny and his scorching, low down guitar riffs just can't be any nastier. A true tribute indeed.

Other tracks on "Nasty Man" include: "Heart On Fire", "When You're Cool (The Sun Shines All The Time)", "Don't Get Your Honey Where You Get Your Money", "Fools Way Out", "Let's get Busy", "Help Yourself To Me", and 'It can Happen To Me".

I highly recommend getting you ears on a copy of "Nasty Man". Then you'll know exactly why the Cape Fear Blues Society in Wilmington, NC felt so strong about it that they've sponsored it in this years "Best Self Produced CD" competition. You can do that by contacting Rickey Godfrey at www.rickeygodfrey.com. Please tell him the Blewzzman sent ya.