�Approved�, in this instance, would be more accurately described as �Exalted�! This all-star line-up of high-profile Ontario blues deities has rallied together to support two of their lesser-known sidemen, who are long overdue for their own accolades. This musical postcard would be my number-one recommendation for tourists seeking the perfect souvenir to characterize the heart and soul of the Toronto blues scene. That being said, I could think of dozens of other players who should be included on a sequel CD (e.g. harpmen Michael Pickett and Carlos Del Junco and guitarists Jeff Healey, Pat Burns, Rick Gunn and Rob Anthony, vocalist Anthony Salvatore and Rob Randazzo.
Schmidt�s delicious swing-blues guitar licks are certainly similar to those of Jack De Keyzer (the only other player contributing guitar work on the CD, and with a teasing slide at that, on the smokin' barrelhouser, "Gimme All Your Money"), but Pete�s mind-boggling digital mania occasionally leaves the listener feeling overwhelmed. It�s sort of like having to wolf down a filet mignon without being able to savour the taste in slowly-chewed bites. He really doesn�t need to try so hard, as he�s obviously up to par with the potent musical fare being concocted by this notorious blues gang, which includes piano-guitar boss Mel Brown, Blue Canadians bandmate David Rotundo and Jumpstarts bandleader Little Bobby Chorney, along with a host of superb vocalists like Ricky Day (Inkspots), Chuck Jackson (Downchild), Jerome Godboo and Mark �Bird� Stafford.
While bass players (Shane Scott in this case) tend to be overlooked by an audience when defining a particular band�s sound, their importance is paramount. An overly-loud, busy or just plain timid player can, in fact, clash or be totally ineffective in this respect. Just as a drummer defines the fabric of a band (and Bob Vezpaniani, Greg Cooper and Tony Ajo provide the versatility here), a great bassist will tailor his technique to fit the rest of the groove going down - in other words, the perfect footwear to complement each and every garment on display. Shane accommodates these musical fashion designers with an enviable finesse!
The CD ends with the explosive "Harpin'", featuring duel harps by Dr. Nick (Ouroumov) and David Rotundo, backed by Scott and Schmidt - dynamite!
With these excellent original compositions and various collaborations, Pete Schmidt and Shane Scott have proven that they have what it takes to progress to the next step � hire a new set of unknown talent to back up their own respective bands. |
