Blood On The Road

Jason Ricci & New Blood

Rah Fox Records

www.jasonricci.com

10 tracks

This is my first CD review and I picked a good one for my first review. The Jason Ricci & New Blood band consists of Jason Ricci on harmonica and vocals, Shawn Starsky on guitars and vocals, Steve Johnson on drums and backup vocals and Slim Louis on bass and backup vocals. They make up a very in-touch band with non-stop, long, high energy sets.

Right away you get caught up in Jason’s harp playing in “Snowflakes and Horses”; his singing and his ever-present screams really grab you from the start. Then Shawn comes in with his outstanding guitar solos. Rounding it out, Slim on the bass and Steve on his drums are bringing out the beat. You are soon aware of a band with really good dynamics. “Mellow Down Easy” is a great upbeat Little Walter tune. Jason opens with a really good harp solo, then goes on with his raspy blues vocals. Shawn does some great guitar solos on this and then Jason brings it down and does a great rapid fire harp solo with Steve behind him on the drums. This is one of my favorite tunes on the CD.

“Down at the Juke” is a swing type tune with really good guitar work by Shawn and Slim’s bass just kicking in the background. Jason works out on the harp on this tune with a really good amp solo. You catch every instrument playing the part it should. We are now off to “Blues Penitentiary” which is what would be said is the true story of blues on the road. It has some very interesting lyrics. Jason does one awesome acoustic harp solo on this which really grabs you and then he just throws you back into the amp playing. Also there is a guitar solo with Shawn along with harp accents by Jason that drags you into the feel of the blues.

“Marmoset Baked Potato” is a jazzy, funky, minor key tune in which Jason does another fine harp solo. Shawn’s guitar solo is very well defined and refreshing. Again we have Slim and Steve doing their part well. We see dynamics of a band at its best here. “Roll All Day” is another funky upbeat song. Jason does some harp with sound effects that are not overdone. As usual you can catch every instrument. “My Heads a Bad Neighborhood” is an interesting tune with some deep lyrics. It features more great guitar work, harp licks, bass line and drums. Life is good even if your “Heads a Bad Neighborhood.” “The World Just Wrong” is another tune that makes you think as you listen. As usual there is that great bass line and steady drum leading into another blues harp solo. The point of this song to me is that I’m all right, “The World Just Wrong.” On “The One Least in Love,” Shawn’s guitar work stands out and, along with Jason’s harp solo, just reaches out and grabs you. “Walter’s World” is like a showcase of Jason’s harp ability. So just sit back and take it all in. The whole band is really in the groove on this. What an ending to a great CD.

If you have not seen Jason Ricci & New Blood live, check them out at Big Cities on Thanksgiving night, thanks to Nino. You will not be disappointed.

Remember November 24^th at Big Cities!