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If you had to compare Tony to another artist it would probably be his friend and mentor John
Nemeth (also the man who persuaded him to move to Memphis), They are both strong, soulful
singers who can also play powerful harmonica licks. The first two songs 'Payin' Rent on a Broken
Home' and 'She Knocks Me Out' are bluesy rockers that reminded me of The Fabulous Thunderbirds

and the single the lovely melodic soul ballad 'It's Gonna Take Some Time', dedicated to the late
Mike Ledbetter and Monster Mike Welch, is like classic laid-back Excello blues. Apparently Tony
grew up listening to country music and many of his songs - such as 'Good Advice' and 'Day Dates
Turn into Night Dates' (written with John Nemeth) - tell a story like classic country songs. This is a
good debut solo album but I didn't think that there were enough distinctive songs and I would like

to see Tony sounding a little less like Mr. Nemeth. Also, Landon Stone is a versatile guitarist and I
would have liked to have heard him featured more and providing some different sounds - also it
would have been nice to have had a guest spot by Luther Dickinson.

Graham Harrison

Victor Wainwright And The Train Memphis Loud RUF

Records ASIN: B084DFYS52

We start with a bang with the rocking ‘Mississippi’, boogie piano
and riffing brass with pounding Train-like drums from Billy Dean
pushing things along, then a brief break for a Derek Trucks-like

guitar solo from Pat Harrington before the Train gathers
momentum again. ‘Walk The Walk’ is classic rock and roll based
on Wainwright's piano but with the brass also much in evidence,
that is Mark Earley (saxes) and Doug Woolverton (trumpet) -
recent recruits from Roomful of Blues. The title track is a driving
boogie-based rocker but with some lovely unusual harmonies and ‘Sing’ is a modern version of

Dixieland with clarinet and New Orleans piano that goes a bit spacey towards the end.

However, it’s not all rocking out, ‘Disappear’ and 'America' are both soulful ballads with powerful
vocals from Victor and on the latter a tasteful guitar solo from guest 'Monster' Mike Welch.
Everything here is very well-played and arranged but there is also a certain eccentricity and
humour in songs like ‘South End of a North Bound Mule’, I think it's this that reminds me of

Britain's Zoot Money rather than the most obvious comparison with Dr. John. ‘Golden Rule’ is
driving funk complete with clavinet and ‘Recovery’ is a mid-tempo soul stomper with another Mike
Welch guitar solo and great sax from Earley on the outro and “My Dog Riley' is a rocking,
humorous song about dogs. We finish with a smouldering, understated 8-minute soul ballad
‘Reconcile’ with Victor's vocals being outstanding and we also get a nice guitar solo from
Harrington. Although Victor’s name is upfront here and his vocals and piano drive all the songs this

is very much an ensemble record with the band - also featuring Terrence Grayson (bass) and Dave
Gross (guitar) - and guests including Chris Stephenson (Hammond organ), Greg Gumpel (guitar)
and Mikey Junior (harmonica and vocals) - backing him to perfection. Although Victor’s previous
albums did feature brass having Earley and Woolverton now part of the band makes their
contributions seem much more integrated into the overall sound.

Graham Harrison