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| Anyone who can incorporate the names of Robert Johnson, Little Walter, B.B. King, Willie Dixon, Howlin� Wolf, Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters, King Biscuit Boy, Elmore James, John Lee Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson, Bobby Blue Bland, Memphis Slim and Fatboy all in one song (�Treat Your Baby Right�), introduced by granddaughter Heather Thompson (�Grampy, Let�s Rock�), backed by a barrelhousin� shuffle, aggressive saxophone, woodpeckerin� piano and, of course, the sweet strains of a blues guitar is alright by me! Simultaneously paying tribute to the historical watering holes of Hamilton and their occasional intrusion on domestic marital bliss, this track is musically outdone only by �Jailhouse Blues�, the primo uptempo track, towards the end of the CD. �Treat Your Baby Right� is followed up by the sleek sophistication of �7th Avenue Blue�, a jazzy blues spotlighting Richard Newell ("Don't Call Me Biscuit Boy") on dynamically anguished harmonica, with Sonny waxing eloquently on saxophone and suave, deep-throat vocals. Mr. Newell actually makes his swansong performance on this CD. His tragic and untimely death in early 2003 sent shockwaves around the Canadian music community. Regarding his other backing musicians, Sonny has called up an equally impressive line-up of local players: Dixon Yarmouth on electric guitars; Johnny Stone and Ronnie Lodge (of Ronnie & The Rockets � Sonny�s erstwhile musical residence - contributing on bass; keyboard whiz Jesse O�Brien, and Jack Pedler, Randy Scott and Bob Haydon playing musical chairs behind the drumkit. Bob Doidge makes a special appearance on cello and R.O. Larue on acoustic guitars, and there are numerous backing vocalists. The one track that was a bit over the top (read �sappy�) for me � �Say You Will� � is a �50s inspired love song that is nevertheless a great collaboration with K. Finley, who shares writing credits with Bob Johnston and Sonny Del Rio himself. In the liner notes, which are designed rather messily, Sonny includes a photocopy of his 1961 union I.D. card, under his real name, Dennis Grasley, from the "Hamilton Musicians Protective Association"(!!), the precursor to the Hamilton Musicians Guild (under the umbrella of the American Federation of Musicians). Sandwiched in between or simply melded with blues and rock, there are shades of country (�A Friend Like You�), folk-rock (�I�m Guilty�) and, of course, Sonny�s specialty - straight-ahead rhythm and blues (�Hey Daddy Cool� and �Birthday Suit�). �She�s Got 44's�, is one of those sexist songs that Z.Z. Top could get away with, for some reason, and certainly there remains a particular breed of man who will always lovingly relate to it. While musically-speaking, it could probably be considered along the lines of �Leave Your Hat On�, there�s a fine line between erotica and juvenile puerility where lyrics are concerned. Wisely, it�s placed at the end of the CD, so it can easily be ejected without missing any of the other excellent tracks! It definitely belongs in any collector of Hamilton's treasure trove of under-exposed music history. |
| 40 YEARS OF ROCK & ROLL AND ALL I GOT'S THE BLUES - SONNY DEL RIO |
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