| CD REVIEW |
| BLUES ORBITERS - LIVE IN ISSAQUAH 2004 - BLUES ORBITERS (DEMO CD) |
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| This 4-song live recording (at Issaquah, WA, in 2004) by the Blues Orbiters (guitarists Brian Lee and Dan Taylor, bassist Roger Smith, drummer Mike Sever and saxophonist Ron Baker) is a technically superb production. Both Dan and Brian have appealing lead vocals that never stray out of their respective but otherwise full ranges, and no attempts are made to outdo one another regarding their fluid contributions on guitar (variously on lead, rhythm and slide). While Mike Sever's dextrous sleight-of-hand on the drumkit is demonstrated on this recording, drummer/instructor and producer Conrad Ormsby (Dana Lupinacci, Tim Sherman, Paul Green, Harmonica Playboy & The Midnight Movers, etc.), joined them in October 2004 as their main man on the skins. Brian describes Conrad as "incredible and a great guy personally". Mr. Ormsby performs on Blues Orbiters' upcoming second full-length CD. Mike works well with equally adept bassist Roger Smith, and this is most evident on the opening cover of Sonny Thompson�s "I�m Tore Down". It follows the Freddy King version fairly closely (with an amazing solo guitar break by Dan Taylor). The vocals (by Brian Lee) are less forceful than Clapton's, but the higher notes remain intact. Ron's powerful saxophone work figures prominently here, as well. Ike Turner's "Just One More Time" was influenced by an Otis Grand recording that featured Curtis Salgado of Portland, Oregon, on vocals. While looking up the origins of this song, I found a couple of different, but interesting, ones of the same name recorded by Johnny Copeland and Walter Davis. This snappy little shuffle (played in a presto tempo) is no exception, either, and it features Dan's higher-pitched lead vocals. Ron�s �50s-sounding saxophone rocks on this one. His style reminds me of Hamilton�s Sonny Del-Rio (Trickbag, Ronnie & The Rockets) and Richard Thornton (Jack de Keyzer, Midlife Crisis), both under-rated talents. There�s a nice bit of Mississippi sax (harmonica) woven throughout John Hammond�s "Got Love If You Want It" alternating with the real saxophone. It was patterned after a version done by Slim Harpo. I detected a cool echo effect happening on the vocals here, but for some reason it�s only a brief occurrence. It�s a rhythmic rhumba show-casing the band�s ability to impress an audience. In fact, the band interacts well with their all-ages crowd, as evidenced by the enthusiastic applause included on the recording. Brian plays tasteful slide guitar on a slower-paced "Crossroads" that, at first listen, seems too relaxed, compared to the popular rocked-up versions. After I played it a few times, though, the adjustment to this bluesier tempo (as arranged by guitarist Rick Gould) was easily made. I�ve often wished I could hear a really laid-back take of "Mustang Sally" along these lines, but I�m still waiting for that. On this particular track, Dan reproduces that juicy organ effect on his guitar that thrills me whenever I hear it. I found the saxophone to be a bit overwhelming, along with the two guitars, but again, only briefly. These covers are mainly for promotional purposes, and they merely hint at what to expect with their second CD release, which will most likely demonstrate Lee's excellent songwriting skills, as evidenced on Blues Orbiters� first CD, Blast Off. |