Roomful Of Blues
There Goes the Neighborhood
Bullseye
If all the one-time members of this band were assembled together in one location, they could probably fill most of the seats of some of the venues they play. Much like the Tommy Dorsey Band or the Glenn Miller Orchestra, they have transcended the level of being a band whose identity is based in the individual players. In their 30 years in business, they have become an institution with a mission. Unlike their contemporaries, the Nighthawks and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, they have been able to carry on very well without being nearly decimated by the loss of a key member. Some of their lineups have been stronger than others, but they’ve always been able to rock the house with their own blend of blues and swing. They have picked up a fine new vocalist with the drafting of McKinley (Mac) Odum into the fold, helping to make this lineup one of the strongest in years. They remain focused on providing us with accessible grooves to move the heart and the feet. The material is a good blend of the old and the new. Mac Odum penned one new number. Chris Vachon produced this release and contributed a couple of his new songs. It’s rounded out with some fine covers of old Percy Mayfield, Duke Ellington, and Memphis Slim cuts, as well as a hard-jumping version of Doyle Bramhall’s “She’s Mine.” Get those cat clothes on and check these guys out. They were swinging when swinging wasn’t cool. http://www.roomful.com/blues
