Don’t Get me Started

Chet Cannon and The Committee

Big Blue World Records

http://myspace.com/ChetandtheCommittee

13 tracks / 70:23

On my first night on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise last January, I wandered into the lounge that would serve all week as the venue for the Pro-Am jam sessions. On stage was a band that featured a three-piece horn section, fronted by a big-voiced Blues shouter singing about the value of big women with real tattoos. I had never heard the song before but loved it, spending the rest of the evening obsessing about how to get a recording of song. 

The next morning at breakfast I happened to run into the singer and quickly learned that Chet was from San Diego, had written the tune I heard the night before and that the song would be featured on the cd he planned to finish once he got home and recovered from the cruise. We had numerous conversations the rest of the week, with Chet promising to send me a copy once it was ready for distribution. 

Recorded live last year at Etta’s Place in San Diego, this disc provides ample proof that Chet & The Committee are no one-hit wonders. The disc opens with the funky instrumental track “Pass the Gravy” that serves as a warm-up for each of the members. It provides the first opportunity to hear one of the band’s secret weapons – saxophonist Johnny Viau, whose contributions throughout the disc never fail to impress. He rocks hard on the next track, the jumpin’ “Come On”, as Chet encourages the listeners to dance and to “…quit your thinking and get your drinking on !”. Guitarist Tony “The Tone” Agosta weighs in with some fine fretwork.

 Cannon is the focal point of this aggregation. He wrote ten of the tracks, helped produce the disc, plays some mean harp and uses his full-bodied voice to exhort the crowd to dance, drink and have a fine time. His songs are first-rate. One highlight is the slow blues “Cried All Night”, as Chet spins another age-old tale of betrayal punctuated by another outstanding solo from Viau as Cannon bemoans the fact he can no longer afford to drink top-shelf liquor. So he turns things over to Agosta to the guitar do his crying.  “Country Girl” is another original that sings the praises of a farm-raised woman who has captivated Cannon. 

Another highlight is the band’s cover of Snooky Pyror’s minor-key tune “Headed South”. Starting with a blast of harp from Cannon, this eight minute version gives everybody a chance to stretch out as Chet belts out the dark lyrics of possible repercussions if the author’s woman doesn’t straighten up.

 The closing track, “Real Big Woman”, is the tune I heard that fateful January evening. It includes Chet’s humorous rant about skinny women, size 0 and Hometown Buffet. Johnny Viau rips off another stellar sax solo while the band rocks as Chet explains why his daddy told him to find a big woman with real tattoos. If you want to hear the whole story, you’ll just have to buy this disc.

 There is plenty to like about this disc – great tunes, strong performances and fine sound. The best thing you can say about a live recording is that after hearing it, you wish you had been there that night. Not only do I wish I had been there, but if Chet & The Committee are indicative of the level of talent on the San Diego Blues scene, maybe we all should give up the mid-Western winters and head for the left coast !!!! In the meantime, drop Chet a note at BluShouter@aol.com and tell him you can’t live without your own copy of this recording. You’ll be glad you did !!!