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| Back in the hedonistic �80s, Don Henley composed a song called �All She Wants To Do Is Dance�. It was a popular song in the discos, even though it mocked those very same party-loving people who preferred to ignore the political atrocities happening around them. I enjoyed the song for a completely different reason. Dancing has always been a type of emotional therapy for me, and I believe the same is true for Canada�s premier blues band. They have always aimed to �rock the blues� - in other words, to give people an opportunity to revel in the good things life has to offer instead of dwelling on problems beyond their control. That�s not the same thing as turning a blind eye (or ear) to them. �Scars� and "Droppin' Like Flies" are good examples of that. It�s a measure of unparalleled success when a performing band is kept too busy playing live to be able to sit down and compose any new material. Such has been the case with Downchild for 35 years, so these completely new songs are an even bigger treat. As if that weren�t enough, they�ve invited a half-dozen special guests to join in � harmonica ace James Cotton, drummer Pentti Glan (Alice Cooper, Steppenwolf), and guitarists David Gogo, �Doc� (Jeff) Healey, Tom Lavin (Powder Blues Band) and Gene Taylor (Fabulous Thunderbirds) on keyboards. Come On In is blues therapy to the max. The opening title song entices us to �come on in where the music is hot; dance away your loneliness on the spot; no point sitting around, getting uptight, worrying about debt will keep you up all night�come on in�out of the blues�. This listener eagerly accepted the invitation and had a great time, too! Whether your favourite instrument is harmonica, slide guitar, saxophone, keys or trumpet, this is the kind of CD you will be compelled to crank up, put on �repeat�, don your boogie shoes and �jump right up�. The long-time stellar line-up of Donnie (�Mr. Downchild�) Walsh, Chuck Jackson, Michael Fonfara, Gary Kendall, Mike Fitzpatrick, Pat Carey and Peter Jeffrey (on trumpet) guarantees you will love every track. My overall favourites, if I had to choose, are �How Long�, indelibly stamped with the Downchild signature, followed closely by "Cruisin'" and "Cotton in My Ears" (both instrumentals) and "Droppin' Like Flies", even if I can't relate to the latter's lyrics, and fortunately so. I haven�t had so much fun from a recording in years! Visit Downchild's website at www.downchild.com and let 'em know you want to see them live in your town! In the meantime, buy a copy of Come On In and help support Canadian blues musicians. |
| COME ON IN - DOWNCHILD (2004) |
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