DAVE’S DEBUT: Howard [top left] raises a ruckus with Roomful. |
There’s lots of music in store just around the proverbial corner for local music aficionados, much of which will plaster a smile on blues brothers’ faces. I’ve got my meat hooks on Raisin’ a Ruckus, the upcoming album by Roomful of Blues due out early next year on Alligator. It’s the Rhody titans’ first disc since Standing Room Only in 2005 and it marks the recording bow of new vocalist Dave Howard. As is customary on Roomful albums, they’ve excavated some pretty obscure, pretty great gems to go with a healthy handful of originals, the likes of which I’ll explain later, when you can get your own meat hooks on the record.
In the same vein, Al Basile, founding horn player with Roomful going back 40 years, also has a new album forthcoming. The Tinge, due in February on the Sweetspot imprint, showcases the versatile Basile’s way with R&B and the blues. Of interest to local music historians will be the presence of Duke Robillard (who produced the album), Rich Lataille, and Doug James, collectively known as half of the original Roomful lineup. Notable sidemen Bruce Katz, Marty Ballou, and Mark Teixeira also help put it all together.
And speaking of Roomful alums in the spotlight, transcendent guitarist Ronnie Earl — who often shies way from attention — is back hanging with the Duke on Duke’s own label home, Stony Plain. I Feel Like Going On is due in January. As a guitar player, Earl is less a curator of musical history and more a sonic adventurer. But those keeping track of blues guitar need only hear Earl and Robillard to know what’s going on out in the wider world of the blues.
Outside the blues idiom, Six Star General and Heather Rose and the Drama are releasing discs. Six Star General’s Sick Stars, Sister Cyst is a collection of new songs, covers, a remix, unreleased four-track recordings, and live radio show performances. The disc includes a remix by the Masons’ Kraig Jordan and covers of CCR, Butthole Surfers, and Jonathan Richman.
Heather Rose and the Drama have also gotten into the spontaneous mood. Rose and the boys recorded a practice and turned it into a nifty limited-edition holiday disc, With a Grain of Salt. It’s referred to as a “holiday” album because there’s a song titled “A Disgruntled Ant and His Letter to Santa.” The album features acoustic versions of some of the band’s songs and, according to Heather, a few surprises, too. While we’re sure this and other tracks will provide oodles of pleasure — it’s been a while since Rose released anything of note — the recording doubles as a fundraiser for the band’s proper electric album, which they’re attempting to see through as we speak.
Wandering eye
THE KILLDEVILS are uncharacteristically busy. The country blues/roots duo is at Nick-a-Nee’s on Thursday, December 6 at 9 pm. No cover. The uninitiated should anticipate Memphis Minnie, Louis Jordan, and Willie Nelson covers, among others. Call 401.861.7290. Killdevils will also be hitting the Liberty Elm, 777 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, on Sunday, December 9, for an acoustic, brunch-type show running from 11 am to 1 pm. Again, there’s no cover. Call 401.467.0777. Finally, one of the Killdevils, CHRIS MONTI, goes it alone at the Rocky Point Pub (1705 West Shore Road in Warwick) on Tuesday (the 11th) at 7 pm. And you guessed it, that one’s free too. Call 401.739.9800.
The TIM TAYLOR BLUES BAND will be doing its thing at one of the band’s regular haunts, the News Café in Pawtucket, on Friday, December 7th) beginning at 8 pm. Call 401.728.6475. On Saturday, December 8, at Firehouse 13, the 75 or Less label is throwing a rock fiesta with THE HOPE ANCHOR, SIX STAR GENERAL, and THE COLD WAR, all for only $5. Call 401.270.1801 or go to firehouse13.org.
At Jerky’s on Friday, it’s a big night with Boston’s AKACOD (former Morphine saxophonist Dana Colley with Bourbon Princess’ Monique Ortiz and Larry Dersch of Binary System), Albany’s innovative duo SIRSY, and ROUTE .44 closing. The latter outfit made it to the regional semifinals of the Bodog Battle of the Bands. They came in first at a gig at the Middle East in Cambridge last month and their next competition is at the Paradise in Boston on January 19. If the locals win there it’s on to the Fillmore East in New York City, and from there it’s . . . well, all good. Break a leg, boys.
On Friday at the Brooklyn Coffee and Tea it’s MARK MILLOFF, FRANK ROMANELLI, and WHALEBONE JACKSON with your host FRANK MARTYN. The show starts at 8 pm and costs nothing but your tip money. Cal 401.575.2284. On Saturday at Jerky’s, JOHNNY CARLEVALE will perform with HIS BAND OF ALL-STARS, a burlesque Christmas celebration with tons of pretty ladies (the DAZZLING DAMES), great rockabilly (ROCKY VELVET), and some jump blues and swing from JC himself. The show starts at 9 pm. Call 401.621.2244.
There’s a big Pete Rock night at Cats on Saturday. It’s called “A Very Pimpin’ X-Mass Bash” and it features 2012, TUNG, FLYASH, and 16 STITCHES. Call 401.722.0150. And the PROVIDENCE RECORD SHOW AND ROCK & ROLL YARD SALE takes place on Sunday from noon to 5 pm at AS220. Admission is gratis. Call 401.831.9327.
E-mail me with info on your music endeavors: bobgulla@verizon.net.
