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| The various comings, goings and offshoots from the Canadian musical entity known as Downchild have been almost as varied as those of Ronnie Hawkins� camp, so it�s no surprise to see another of its long-term members branching out on his own. On the capricious Dusty & Pearl, the unobtrusive Downchild bassist steps up to the forefront to present his own musical inspirations, lyrically, vocally and instrumentally. While barely straying from the Downchild fold, Gary has the support of more than 30 of Ontario�s finest bluesmen, including under-exposed super-players like Pete Schmidt, Teddy Leonard, Darren Poole, Steve Grisbrook, Larry Bodner, Brian Fraser, Rod Phillips, Jim Casson, Little Bobby (Chorney), Richard Bell and Martin Aucoin. A few of his erstwhile band mates � Mike Fitzpatrick, Pat Carey, Michael Fonfara, Chuck Jackson and even Donnie �Mr. Downchild� Walsh - also contribute, as do a few females. Mr. Kendall commands the listeners� immediate attention with �We�ll Be Allright�, a mid-tempo Zydeco groove and Clapton-like vocals, sung in duet with blues queen Suzie Vinnick. It�s a warm, happy-go-lucky introduction, with even better songs to follow. Kendall�s �Worn In� is the kind of burlesque-swanky blues song that Mick Jagger was fond of covering in his younger days. Kendall�s capacity for compassion and inclusion is reinforced on �Don�t Be Sad�, just one of his many sparkling originals on the CD. It�s a percussive reggae-rocker encouraging one to lean on family and friends in times of trouble, although he may be expressing this sentiment with a particular listener in mind. Another example of compassion is �Spread the Love�, subtitled for his young grandson, Kadin, the victim (now on the mend) of a senseless drive-by shooting in Toronto a couple of years ago. Shirley Kendall gives a spoken-word intro to the song in what sounds to be a First Nations tongue. While Gary performs on acoustic guitar and vocals (with backup vocals from Johnny & The Johns � Wright, Mays and Dickie), Terry Wilkins plays gut-string bass, Tyler Burgess adds both drums and harmonica, and Steve Grisbrook and Teddy Leonard add layering with their acoustic guitars, including a resonator. You�ll recognize the Downchild influence on the swingin� blues of Gary�s own �All Dressed Up� and the soulful strut of �You Can�t Be Lucky All the Time�. There�s a vague �50s sound to James Harman�s �Grindin� Bump� (from his Two Sides to Every Story), Brian Fraser�s �Savin It Up for You�, as well as the ensuing �Lucky at Love�, a catchy Kendall collaboration with Judy Brown who belts out the lead vocals on this one, backed by Brenda Campbell. There's a bit of social and political insight on the drum-rockin' organ-drenched "Sumkinda Sumthin [Going Wrong]" with the astute observation: "To find an honest politician, try to be a magician; no room for an honest (decent/ workin') man, just getting pushed aside". Gary adds both rhythm and bass to Pete Schmidt�s lead guitar on Mitch Kashmar�s �Night Creeper�, previously covered much more raunchily by Matt Minglewood (with Michael Pickett on harmonica). Mitch/Michael�s part is sweetened up by Little Bobby (of the Jumpstarts) to suit Kendall�s more laid-back approach without losing the essence of celebrating a nocturnal lifestyle. �Bluesona Slonite�, an instrumental jazz-blues fusion originally recorded on saxophonist Chris Murphy�s solo CD, Blowin the Horn, is stunning, as is Chris�s contribution on �You Can�t Be Lucky All the Time�. The CD closes appropriately with �Thanks Alot�, a brass-laden instrumental shuffle mixes elements of R&B, soul and funk. In addition to saxmen Murphy and Carey, it also features Al Lerman (of Fathead) on weepin� Mississippi and tenor saxophone, Chris Whiteley on trumpet, Michael Fonfara on organ and piano, and Tom Bona giving it that extra kick on the drumkit. Somewhere along the way, the fatness of the bass gets lost in the shuffle, but that�s the mark of an expert, knowing when to blend in and when to stand out. The songs on Dusty & Pearl are full productions, with at least a half-dozen players filling out the songs with unique musical touches. That means there�s enough variety in pace and style without parting from the general ambience of relaxed, pleasant enjoyment. Dusty & Pearl is a topnotch, tasty batch of ear candy! I look forward to the next Kendall CD. |
| DUSTY & PEARL - GARY KENDALL CD Review by Diane Wells |
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