CD Review: By Larry Stotts

“Tying One On … for the People”  The Breeze Kings  (Veritone V-1025-2)

My fellow bluesnatics: How many times have you seen a band do a really amazing performance at a club or festival, and hoping to take them home with you, buy their CD or tape? The next day you put it on and crank it up only to hear a lame studio recording. Well, The Breeze Kings’ “Tying One On … for the People” aint like that!! This is one exceptional CD that fulfills the need to recapture their lively performance in the privacy of your own home … to sing, to dance, shake and sing all over again. It may induce the huggin’, kissin’, and suggin’ that follows if you’re lucky. This is not a poorly recorded live performance from a club PA. This is a well done, live performance in a studio.

The first clue that this is going to be a unique experience is an introduction by local harp hipster, Stoney Brooks. It is a stream of consciousness as only Stoney could orate. The CD’s clever photos illustrate what could happen to a female Breeze Kings fan who partakes of too much brown whiskey in a dirty glass.

The music? Carefully selected gems done in the true tone of real blues: Jr. Parker, Jimmy Rogers, Magic Sam, Billy Boy Arnold and many more. Passionate vocals and harp – Carlos Capote; vintage enthusiastic guitar – Jim Ransone; on time drums – Joe Caprara; and rock solid bass – Dave Roth.

PS. Let the CD continue playing after the last song for illicit phone calls and an end of gig Black Sabbath rendition. Inquiries to follow …