Real blues done right, with verve and feeling.
04/17/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the new 'jump on the band wagon' blues scene where every out of work muscian is 'discovering their blues roots' it great to hear cats play it right. Of course everyone has their own opinon on what constitues 'real blues' but come on, most of this new stuff is more about crossing over into main stream rock and record labels making money than it is creating and capturing the real essence of the genre. If you don't understand this then your not really a blues/roots music lover. However if you dig what I'm sayin then go buy this CD. It has 8 great orginals along with 5 cool covers including 3 George Smith tunes that I've never heard covered. Excellent musicians and honest soulful vocals played by veterans who know and feel the music. The CD features a lot of different blues and roots styles and the band plays them right. It's very hard to be creative and still capture the essence of the style. these guys do it! From Guitar Slim sounding shuffles as in the orginal 'Bettin on my baby ' to the can't believe it's not T-Bone sounding Ivan Appelrouth tune 'T-Bonin Part I' they breath new life in classic style. On the low down blues of George Smith's 'I Found my baby'and 'love Life' Ronnie nails it with soulful classic Chicago blues harp and leave's you wanting more. Unlike most harp players that want to play everything they know in every song, Ronnie knows what to play and when to stop. This is probaly why most songs are only 4 minutes are less. The title song 'Too Fast for Conditions' sounds like a Lazy Lester, Slim Harpo inspired swamp blues. Great groove, cool guitar and more tasteful 'less is more' harp. There's great west coast swing complete with horn section, great guitar from guest Pete Kanaras (the Nighthawks)and keyboards from Kevin Mckendree on 'Cross Eyed Suzie Lee'. The CD also includes Memphis Style 50's roots on 2 originals, the classic dance tune 'The Spin' and Sun Records sounding 'I wasted to much time'. Every song is a keeper and ends with a very tastful version of 'Don't get around much anymore'featuring more tasteful harp backed up by guitar, upright bass and drums."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1
