Roger K. Osborne aka Rozzy Osborne : Animals Get the Blues Too
 
Rozzy Osborne's Blues Band +
"Animals Get the Blues Too"
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © December 2010
 
 
Prelude
 
    I've got to be very honest, when I was first asked to work with this disc, to say I was reluctant would be an understatement.  C'mon, a CD about animals by someone named Rozzy Osborne?  Of course, this had to be some kind of a joke I thought.  Well here I sit - wrong as hell - and very pleased to admit it.  
 
    Rozzy Osborne is really Roger K. Osborne, a truly caring person who has dedicated his life to helping and caring for animals.  He's also a guitarist, vocalist and songwriter.  Using those skills, and the skills of some musician friends, Rozzy has created a CD that is a must-have for animal lovers and blues fans in general.  Most of the proceeds from the CD will go to the Humane Society to help as many animals as possible.  
 
    Before getting into the musical aspects of the project, I feel compelled to share something from the liner note with you.  Be forewarned, you'll need some Kleenex.  
 
"A Pet's Ten Commandments" 
By Stan Rawlinson
 
  1 - My life is likely to last 10-15 years.  Any separation from you is likely to be
       painful.   
  2 - Give me time to understand what you want of me.
  3 - Place your trust in me.  It is crucial for my well being.
  4 - Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment.  You have 
       you have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
  5 - Talk to me.  Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice
       when speaking to me.
  6 - Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
  7 - Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and
       yet, I choose not to bite you.
  8 - Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something
       might be bothering me.  Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the
       sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
  9 - Please take care of me when I grow old.  You too, will grow old.
10 - On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please.  Never say you can't bear to
       watch.  Don't make me face this alone.  Everything is easier for me if you are
       there, because I love you so. 
 
Go ahead, take a break to wipe your eyes - that's exactly what I'm about to do.
 
 
Review
 
    The musicians appearing on "Animals Get The Blues Too" are Roger K. Osborne on vocals and guitar, Michael Patterson on guitar, Robert Stephens & Cliff Wallace on drums, Steve Lupkin on Bass, Bill Lupkin on harp, Jim Steele on keyboards and Michael F. Patterson & Franko Johnson on vocals.  The disc contains ten well written and wonderfully performed tracks of which nine are band originals.    
 
    "A Dog Named Rover" is about a dog who chases tail all day long.  And, as his 99 puppies will prove, it's not his own tail he chases. Good slow blues with great bass led rhythm, hot harp and smokin' organ leads from Steve, Bill and Jim.   
 
    "Nemi" is a lazy style song about a lazy old horse who has more than paid his dues.  All he does is eat, sleep and drink and he's earned the right to do so.  Ahhhhh, retirement!  Good, soft rhythm with slow and easy vocals and very mellow harp and piano leads.  Real good stuff.     
 
    The title track, "Animals Get The Blues Too", is about as good as a blues song gets.  It's got it all...the heartfelt and soulful vocals, great rhythm led by the ever present and soothing organ sounds, those blistery guitar leads and melancholy lyrics that any animal lover will surely relate to.    
 
    Think about how sad you'd be feeling if you had to tell someone "My Dogs Killed My Kittens".  Well, that's exactly the story Rozzy has to tell on this one.  It's a sad, sad story about two Black Lab puppies that some @#$&@# dumped at his door.  Being the animal, lover that he is, and having had cats with dogs before, he took in the Labs assuming they'd get along.  As the title states, they didn't.  The storyline sucks but it's a tight one musically.  Good drum and cymbal work, good guitar leads, good piano playing with several organ highlights and great storytelling style vocals.  Too bad this is a true story. 
 
    Other tracks on "Animals Get The Blues Too" include" 'You Got The Blues", "They Tried To Tell Me", Please Don't Hurt the Animals", "You Can Leave Your Hat On", 'Rozzy Blues" and "Murray".
 
    I've just gone from thinking Rozzy Osborne was some kind of a joke to having the utmost respect for him.  This isn't the kind of CD that's produced with winning a music award in mind......and it won't.  On the other hand, it will certainly entertain you with several real deal blues tracks and it will help raise money for a very serious cause - the Humane Society.  Knowing that, you should right now be headed to www.rkoblues.net.  Just tell Roger that you heard that "Animals Get the Blues Too", and you're here to help out. Of course, you'll also tell him the Blewzzman sent ya.