[.ca] Thats Right

That's Right! It is a Great CD!!:
Over the last couple of years, that swinging, swaying horn-drenched institution known as Roomful of Blues has taken a good, hard look at itself. Worried, as any artist, that their sound may be growing stale or they may be losing touch with their audience, the band ditched the rhythm and blues sound of their most recent albums and return to the more classic Roomful sound. This was accomplished with several personnel changes, most notably replacing soulful-but-somewhat-limited vocalist Mac Odom with multi-octave range singer Mark Dufresne. The results can be heard on the winning new album, That's Right. The band starts the attack right away with the hard-driving horn riffs of the title track, leaving no doubt that this is one band with horns that knows how to rock! Furthur evidence is offered by bandleader and "secret weapon" Chris Vachon, whose hard rocking guitar solo on "How Long Will It Last" unleashes his fiery gifts. "Shame, Shame, Shame" sounds like a glorious outtake from the musical Chicago, with it's jazz-age muted trumpet, while "Lipstick, Powder, and Paint" is a good update of the old r and b standard. And the horns! Have I mentioned the horns? Rich Lataille, Bob Enos, and Mark Earley are the Niagara Falls of sound, carrying the listener away to the coolest nightclub on the planet. Wow! Mark Dufresne really shows his pipes on the blues oldie "I Just Got To Know;" he is indeed an impressive, soulful singer, although he doesn't quite yet have the silken polish of Sugar Ray Norcia. With time, however, he should blossom quite nicely. In short, this is a very impressive "comeback" effort from the boys, who prove that they are ready to rock your world once again! That's Right!!!

Bring back Sugar Ray Norcia:
I have to admit, I've only got one other Roomful album, "Under One Roof", and I love it to death. So, expecting the same great soulful and energetic songs with bluesy, gruff vocals, I bought "Thats Right". Boy, was I disapointed. I barely made it through the first listen of the album. The whole thing came across as rushed and forced, as if the album was done because they had to, not because they wanted to. It had no life to it. But the thing I really couldn't stand was the current vocalist! Gone was the dynamics and attitude of Sugar Ray, replacing them was a very dull, flat, non-agressive singer (he's just waaaayy too smooth for a blues singer). Over all I was very dissapointed. I can't point out one track that really stood out for me, they all sounded the same; all nicely done, but with no heart or soul to any of them.

Best CD in years!:
I love every Roomful CD. But this one really moves me. Without even realizing it my toes are tapping and I am drumming on the steering wheel. The band has come out swingin' to show everyone who has cropped up in the last few years with a horn section how it's done. Just check out Mark Earley's smoking tenor lead on the title cut, the sweet swingin horns of Rich and Bubba on "You're Driving Me Crazy", and absolutley FIERY solo that Chris Vachon delivers on "How Long..." This album ranks as one of Roomful's best in its 35 year history.

Another great one from a blues institution!!!:
I drove home from work with this cd blaring and all the windows open. It's been a long time since I've danced in my seat through an entire cd. In spite of constant personnel changes (are there any original members left?), this band still has a feeling for jump blues like no one else in the business. I first saw them live at Tipitina's over 20 years ago and they still swing like nobody's business. Incredible horn arrangements with a fabulous rhythm section make this cd sound like it was recorded over 40 years ago. There aren't many bands like this one left. I'm glad I found this cd and became reaquainted with some old friends. From the hip swing of "I Know Your Wig is Gone" to the powerful version of the classic "Lipstick, Powder and Paint", Roomful of Blues shows they are as strong as ever.

A jump on the retro swing bandwagon?:
This is a good session by jump blues band Roomful of Blues, this new vocalist is much better then that Norcia guy, much smoother, but there is a felling of "Indigo Swing/Royal Crown Review/Big Bad Voodoo Daddy" here, in other words this was basicaly a jump on the retro or rather neo-swing bandwagon. And why not Big Kahuna and Ray Anthony even got in on the retro swing movement, but most of the songs lack the more gruff blues that most of thier cd's have, accept track two which is more reminiscent of thier other recordings, a very enjoyable release nonetheless.

• That's Right!
• We Can't Make It
• Shame, Shame, Shame
• How Long Will It Last
• You're Driving Me Crazy
• Ocean of Tears
• 2 Point 8
• I Know Your Wig Is Gone
• I'll Keep on Trying
• Lipstick, Powder and Paint
• I'm Tryin'
• Tennessee Woman
• I Just Got to Know
• Stranger Blues