Steve Gerard & The National Debonaires
Featuring James "Rock" Gray
"Voodoo Workin'"
Blue Edge Records
By Peter "Blewzzman" Lauro © October 2011

Although the band has gone through several personal changes since their two prior releases, "Voodoo Workin'" is now the third project I've had the pleasure of working on with Steve Gerard & The National Debonaires. As a matter of fact, back in 2007, the bands debut disc - "New Sounds From Kansas City" was the recipient of the symbolic "Blewzzy Award" given out by yours truly. Will history repeat itself?

Still led by guitarist Steve Gerard, the 2011 National Debonaires include: Greg "Junior" Demchuck on harmonica, James "Rock" Gray on vocals, Preston Hubbard on bass, Doug "Mr. Low" James on horns, Dwight Ross Jr. on drums, and Mike "Shinetop Jr," Sedovic on keyboards.

After hearing him sing sometime late in 2009 Dave Gerard decided he wanted James Gray to perform on this, his next disc. However, as the liner notes explain, it took him well over a year to finally meet James face to face. Now, after you hear him sing, you'll understand why Dave persevered. James could literally sing the alphabet and make it sound like it originated in the Delta.

One of several classics covered on "Voodoo Workin'" is legendary R&B singer, songwriter and pianist Willie Mabon's "Michele". This one pretty much sets the tone for everything you'll be hearing. Very well done vocals backed by solid rhythm with lots of guitar, keyboard and sax highlights. I'm cool with that.

One of the discs two original songs, that were written by James Gray, is "Please Stay With Me". With all the heart and soul he puts into this one it's easy to think that when he wrote it, it was written about someone James was hurting over losing. Great song, sung and played with great feeling.

The band does a beautiful job covering Big Jay McNeely's classic "There Is Something On Your Mind". Excellent vocals, with great guitar, piano and sax highlights make this version as good as any.

Back in the 50's I could listen to Fats Domino say hello to Josephine all day long. Now here I am listening to James Gray say it and my feelings haven't changed. This awesome rendition of the fat man's "My Girl Josephine" is about as good as it gets. In spite of the excellent vocals, Doug James runs away with this one while blasting away on the tenor sax and backing himself up on the baritone. Truly amazing work.

Closing the disc is a rhythm heavy version of a popular Nappy Brown track, "My Baby". Preston and Doug take it about as far down as you can on the bass and sax.

Other tracks on "Voodoo Workin'" include the title track, "One Of These Days", "TV Mama", "Ain't Gonna Let Her Go" and "Sweet Little Woman".

For more information on Steve Gerard & The National Debonaires, and to buy this, as well as all their discs, just go to www.nationaldebonaires.com/. And please, tell them their long time friend the Blewzzman sent you.