Page 56 - BiTS_09_SEPTEMBER_2024_Neat

Tom Buenger—Blues From Caucasia—Independent

After more than ten years in the US Military and followed by
five years inhabiting corporate America, Tom finally decided
that music was his true vocation. Tom has played in dark
Texas bars, Southern music halls, California wine bars, and in
and around the Seattle area. This is his second album which
features ten original numbers and one cover.

Tom is on vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano, and kazoo, with
Rafael Tranquilino; drums, bass and guitar, Chris Eger; bass
and electric guitar, Teresa Russell; electric guitar and Cyrus

Zerbe and Richard Williams; drums.

The album has a loose, fresh feel, as the enthusiastically racing Rockabilly opener ‘Above The
Sun’, entices you in. ‘Start A Fire’, is a slowburn, love letter, with the richly ringing guitar, raising
and roaring as it goes along. ‘That Ain’t Right’, is in the same vein but, with a maudlin drawling
harmonica taking the lead. On ‘What You Gonna Do’, an enticing acoustic slide guitar gently
duels with an ear catching electric guitar.

‘Mean Things’, is a delightfully picked acoustic guitar piece with gentle electric guitar
interjections. ‘Get With Me’ is another splendidly enticing Rockabilly number, featuring a lively
kazoo solo adding to the harmonica underpinning.

The pleasing, gospel influenced ‘Don’t Stop’, contains infectiously inviting, layered vocals while
the R&b Ballad ‘Feel Alright’, possesses a sensuously late night, laidback feel. On ‘Fight No More’,
Tom not only takes lead vocals and harmonica but, adds his multi layered harmony vocals to
great effect.

The enticing, easygoing ‘Talk To Me’, is delivered in a very pleasing and relaxing Piedmont guitar
style. Blind Willie Johnson’s ‘Soul Of A Man’, possesses a stunning and reverentially delivered
multi layered vocal arrangement.

Recommended!

Brian Harman
Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps—Rose Coloured
Glasses Vol.2—Blue Heart Records BHR1054

Teresa and Terry Wilson continue to deliver their rose tinted
outlook, with twelve more smooth tunes. Here again, Teresa
takes lead vocals and piano, Terry; vocals, keyboards, bass
and guitar, Billy Watts and Kevin McKendree; guitar, Vince
Melamed and Bennett Salvay; keyboards, Tony Braunagel, Jay
Bellerose, Brannen Temple, Richard Millsap and Herman
Matthews; drums, Matthew Quave; strings, Matt Lomeo;
harmonica, Horns; Darrell Leonard and Paulie Cerra on
woodwinds and saxophones.

On ‘I’d Do It For You’, Teresa once again delivers a sultry, horn rich, inviting blues, her vocals
proclaiming just what she’ll happily do for him. ‘Better Angels’ matches gently rising horns with
a crisp piano underpinning the slow grooving funk. In ‘Lean On Love’ gentle horns soften a
sorrowful R&B tale of pill popping to stay afloat.