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LivinBlues CD Reviews by Gary Tate - Red Hot Dagmar n' All Play, No Work Cameos! - back to archive

DAGMAR & THE SEDUCTONES: LITTLE BITTA LOVE (TYM RECORDS)
Little Bitta Love by Dagmar & the Seductones is the kind of high-spirited music dependable for enlivening get-togethers and parties. Lots of high voltage tracks to allow the slightly graying boomer to rekindle memories, such as 'Let's Have A Party'--a huge 50’s Rockabilly hit for Wanda Jackson. Other tunes in the same 'let’s-pull-out-the-champagne-corks' vein include a highly suggestive version of Billy Lee Riley's 'Red Hot', a ditzy number from the 'Happy Days' era 'Stupid Cupid' (originally by Connie Francis), and the high-spirited title track.

The buxomly blonde Dagmar Brown's soaring vocals project fun-seeking opportunities, and she’s also backed up by a team of top vets from Washington D.C.’s R&B scene, including guitarist Bob Newscaster and bassist Bryan Smith. Drummer Dave Elliott did yeoman service in the 70’s for guitar guru Danny Gatton. Dagmar also has a nice way with ballads, such as on Ivory Joe Hunter's 'Since I Met You Baby', Jo Stafford's romantic standard 'You Belong To Me', and the country tear-jerker 'Leavin' On Your Mind'. For your New Year's bash keep Little Bitta Love on your mind and get it! MP3 - Red Hot | Evil | surf to www.theseductones.com

CAMEO BLUES BAND: ALL PLAY & NO WORK (MAKE IT REAL RECORDS)
All Play & No Work brings together an array of Cameo Blues Band alumni, along with a few special guests, in a 15-track cavalcade of nostalgia, interspersed with some very cool contemporary numbers. 'Rabbit' Ray Harrison put together the band in 1978 to play the Cameo Lounge at the Isabella Hotel in Toronto, Canada (know affectionately as the Izzy). As well as Ray’s right hand man on guitar, John Bride, there are two legendary Toronto guitarists that also show up: Fred Keeler (The Shays) and Domenic Troiano (Bush, Guess Who).

John Dickie (Prima Donnas, John & The Sisters) wrote and sang three of the best numbers: 'Pistol Poppin' Queen', 'Wide-Assed Groove', and 'Yah Yah'. Dickie brings a sense of intoxicating fun and irresistible playfulness, while Harrison and Michael Fonfara always respond with chunky tones on organs and keyboards. Three classics from the Golden Age of Rock n' Roll are given slightly updated treatments, especially in terms of stretching them out instrumentally. Walter Zwol (Brutus) lends his assured vocals on 'You Can't Sit Down' and Jimmy McCracklin's 'The Walk'. There are several vocalists on the grand finale Kansas City, including Dickie, Chuck Jackson, and Malcolm Thomlinson. Malcolm makes a substantial impression on the groove-laden 'Rockin' My Life Away' and 'Who's Been Makin' Love'. Blues purists will get their fix on items like 'Crossroads', 'Kind Hearted Woman', and especially a thundering version of Jimmy Rushing's 'Goin' To Chicago'. It’s essential to also mention the two mainstays of the rhythm section, Mike Sloski on drums and Tom Griffiths on bass. All this super stuff was put together by Lance Anderson at Cherry Beach Sound in Toronto. MP3 - Mercury Blues | The Walk |