And the hits just keep on coming.  The quality of music that has been sent to www.Mary4Music.com since the beginning of this year has been absolutely stellar.  Therefore, it was just a matter of time before we'd be hearing  from our first Blues Music Nominee, and that time is here.  Having said that, let me now congratulate and wish the best of luck to TERESA JAMES, nominee for 2008 "Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year".

 

    Regardless of that outcome, TERESA'S new disc "THE BOTTOM LINE" already makes her a winner.  Of course, she didn't do it alone - she had lots of help from THE RHYTHM TRAMPS - of which there are a bunch.  Collectively, TERESA JAMES & THE RHYTHM TRAMPS are: TERESA JAMES on vocals and piano; TERRY WILSON on bass, rhythm guitar and background vocals; JERRY PETERSON & LEE THORNBURG on horns and horn arrangements; HERMAN MATTHEWS on drums; DEBRA DOBKIN on percussion; BILLY WATTS on lead guitar and background vocals.  Additional "guest tramps" used on this project are: TONY BRAUNAGEL & GARY FERGUSON on drums; KENNY BALL on harmonica; MIKE FINNEGAN & JOHN "RABBIT" BUNDRICK on B3 organ; MARTY GREBB on piano; RED YOUNG on piano and organ; TERRY TOWNSEN on horn and horn arrangements.

 

    On "THE BOTTOM LINE", twelve of the thirteen tracks are band originals - most of which are written or co-written by TERRY WILSON.  Although the disc never really strays far from the blues, there's no question in my mind that many tracks will appeal to a broader range of listeners.  Let's go listen.

 

    If you've never heard TERESA sing before, "ALL TIME LOW", the opening track, will make you an immediate fan.  Her vocals highlight this, as well as all of the other tracks.  And as you can well imagine, with the many talented keyboard players listed above, so will the piano, organ and B3.  MARTY and RED get the credit, along with JERRY and LEE on the horns for making this funky track work.

 

    As TERESA begs "(PLEASE) PUT THE SQUEEZE ON ME", she does it in such a soulful and sultry way it made me wish it was me she was asking.  BILLY & MARTY providing great blues licks on guitar and piano make this steamy ballad even hotter.

 

    "DON'T MAKE A HABIT OF IT" could easily be a hit on any of the charts.  It's the perfect song for airplay - just the right length with a country, pop, soul and R&B sound all wrapped up in one and a good sing-a-long chorus.  Great rhythm by TONY, TERRY and the horn section featured on this one.

 

    When TERESA sings about the band becoming "THE NEXT BIG THANG", she just may be on to something.  This disc, and a big win at the BMA'S in May may just make this track a reality.  This smoker features strong rhythm - this time from GARY on the drums, TERRY on bass and DEBRA on percussion with JERRY & LEE blowing flames through the horns and TERESA burning up the keys.  Another of the discs best.

 

    As you might expect from it's title, "I DO MY DRINKING ON THE WEEKENDS" rocks.  The only cover on the disc is this three minute jam that closes it out.   This is obviously what "going out in a flurry" means.  It features everyone on it tearing it up at their best.   

 

    Other tracks on "THE BOTTOM LINE" are: "IF MOMMA DON'T DIG IT", "WHET MY APPETITE", "EIEIO", "THE BOTTOM LINE", "HOW AM I GONNA STOP LOVING YOU?", "IN THE PINK", "I CALL YOUR BLUFF" and a track that although the notes on the disc must have been erroneously omitted, I know was meant to be dedicated to this writer....."I KNOW HANDSOME WHEN I SEE IT"..... thanks TERESA! 

 

    Now here's whatcha gotta do folks.  First, go to www.teresajames.com, and grab yourself a copy of "THE BOTTOM LINE".  Then once you decide, as I know you will, that you like it as much as the Blewzzman does, ya gotta go to www.blues.org and cast your votes......for you know who, of course.  And last but not least, remember to tell Teresa who sent you. 

 

    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