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Loose Change—Fun Stuff—Independent

I’m just listening to these guys doing Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom
Prison Blues’ at the moment (again!). It’s a strictly swamp-blues
version, with its churning rhythm and wailing blues harp (by
bass player Ricky Green); it is also the band’s own arrangement,
no relation to Slim Harpo’s cover, in case you wondered. It does

go to show though just how good this trio can be.

Mind you, some of the other six tracks of this CD EP release also
do that – try the version of Chris Kenner’s ‘Sick And Tired’ or the
opening Muddy Waters song, ‘Walking Through The Park’. Ricky,

lead guitarist and vocalist Chad Dupuy and drummer David Cunningham describe what they do as
“fun rockin’ blues” and I won’t argue. Take a listen to ‘Keep Your Hands To Yourself’, for example,
though ‘Gravity’ shows they can also tackle a blues ballad with sensitivity, and the closing ‘Tupelo
Honey’ is an Americana classic. ‘Work Together’ is Wilbert Harrison’s ‘Let’s Work Together’ as
filtered through Canned Heat’s hit version; the vocal lacks Bob Hite’s growl maybe, but off-setting

that is the fact that in places this sounds like a re-working by Chuck Berry.

Three guys out of South Louisiana making good-timing blues. What’s not to like?

Norman Darwen

(www.facebook.com/LOOSECHANGE9)

Stratcat Willie and the Strays—On The Prowl—Independent

Willie Hayes is based in the southern end of New York State and
has worked across the USA for several decades now; he formerly
led the band Blue Plate Special. He plays what is sometimes
known as “blue-collar Blues”, music for dancing and having a
good time, and with no pretensions. He does it well, too, if this
release is anything to go by.

The opener, ‘Come On In’ seems to be autobiographical. Willie
gives us some personal history over a fine blues shuffle, with
some nice, BB King styled guitar work from Willie himself and an
excellent rhythm section, with tasty organ playing by Neal Massa fleshing out the sound, as the

band responds with an ensemble invitation to “come on in!”. It makes for a great start…

‘Sure ‘Nuff Got The Blues’ continues in this fine vein, though with a little more of a soul touch in the
accompaniment, whilst ‘I Know’ sports some excellent slide guitar playing. I hope by now you are
getting the picture – this is blues all the way.

In places Willie reminds me a little of Elvin Bishop on his more recent recordings. There is that
same sense of deep respect for the music, and also a sense of sheer enjoyment in playing. It
comes across on these thirteen tracks, admirably varied but always blues, making this well
worth investigating.

Norman Darwen