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| For a guy who cites blues influences like Beck, Page, Winter, Bloomfield and Hendrix, I found these tracks to have a much lighter tone to them, but very pleasantly so. Mr. DeAdder�s natural talents as a songwriter seem to have taken a few decades to come to the forefront, but if this CD, released at the beginning of 2005, is only his first effort, I can hardly wait to hear the next one! It�s due to be released any time now, hopefully before the fall of the year, as his songs have a summery atmosphere to them. I could find no reason why any (and all) of these tracks should not get regular rotation on radio � whether the station has a rock, smooth jazz, funk or rhythm and blues format. These guys have got a solid groove going down, no matter what style they choose to play. Although LouD (his nickname) is from Central Ontario, these compositions have a rock-swingin� West Coast feel to them � kind of like Barney Bentall meet the Powder Blues Band, or even David Wilcox without the slide � musical entertainment at its finest. While he�s obviously a gifted guitarist, as well, evidenced notably on the �Hotdog�-like �Space Cowboy�instrumental, LouD has produced these songs (along with extraordinary bassist Bret Piekarz) in such a manner that all members of the band shine collectively rather than individually. There is no ego-stroking going on here, just some beefy, bouncy grooves and humorous lyrics packaged in a fairly unique vocal style. There are plenty of brief but tasteful breaks on guitar, as well as tenor and baritone sax and flute, played by Leo Sullivan, LouD�s former band mate in the Biggy Twiggy Band. LouD has played with a variety of bands since the late �60s, as have his backing players, but the only one I was familiar with was Mason-Dixon Line. He played in this band along with much-sought-after drummer Gary Craig (Michael Pickett, etc.), who replaces an injured Frank (Franko) Woodcock on this CD. Franko, not to be left out completely, provides wonderful back-up vocals and shakes up extra percussion with his good wrist. LouD�s band, known as Start It Up, normally performs live as a trio, but they were fortunate to get some enhancement on B3 by keyboardist Lance Anderson, about whom I�ve read nothing but good things, and deservedly so. �Juicy, jazzed and jumpin�� would be a good way to describe this CD. Lou DeAdder�s got to be one of the best-kept secrets in Toronto. |
| LouD - LOU DeADDER |
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