Page 51 - BiTS_08_AUGUST_2022
P. 51
that see Brad’s relaxed vocal and guitar, dreamily float through the speakers and slowly
morph into a heartbreaking, wailing and crying admission of enduring love and desire.
Very impressive!
Brian Harman.
Anthony Geraci—Blues Called My Name—Blue Heart
Records BHR 028
Originally from New Haven, CT, Anthony is now based in
Boston, Massachusetts. Inspired in his youth after enjoying
live performances from B.B. King, Muddy Waters and Jimmy
Rogers, he was determined to play the blues and after
achieving a B.A. from the Berklee College of Music and an M.A.
from Skidmore College, he, later went on to share the stage
with some of his musical heroes. He was an original band
member of the bands, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones, and
Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters. The ten original numbers
here make up this, his 5th album which is also produced by Anthony. Joining Anthony who
provides lead vocals (with various guest vocalists), Hammond organ and piano are Charlie
O’Neal; guitar, Paul Loranger and Chris Rathbun; acoustic bass and Jeff Armstrong; drums. The
opener is ‘Old Pine Box’, a whimsical, philosophical view of one’s own demise with Sugar Ray
Norcia supplying comfortingly casual vocals; the richly grooving, almost joyous guitar shares a
delightful pairing with a mellifluous rolling piano. ‘I Ain’t Gonna Ask’, also has Sugar Ray
Norcia on vocals, here an enjoyably stomping, vamping rolling piano with New Orleans
inflections, takes the lead with a burnishing guitar and drums underpinning.
A late-night, lazy guilt-ridden piano and slowly scorching Hammond organ accompany the
enticingly pain-filled and pleading vocals of Erika Van Pelt on ‘Corner of Heartbreak and Pain’.
On ‘The Blues Called My Name’, Sugar Ray Norcia makes his final vocal appearance; this
splendid New Orleans influenced rising and descending slow burner, is rightly led by a
mournful tripping piano and is pleasantly interspersed by a sympathetic guitar supplied by
‘Monster’ Mike Welch.
The enticing instrumental ‘Wading Through Vermillion’, features a splendidly
cheerful/morose violin from Anne Harris while the piano gently struts in a loose new Orleans
groove. The gentle moody slow burning blues piano and Hammond organ of 'Into The Night', is
contrasted by Walter Trout’s fiery wailing engaging guitar. 'Song For Planet Earth', is a very
fine and hugely enjoyable instrumental that seems to be a cross between vaudeville and
ragtime piano.
Mucho Splendido!
Brian Harman.