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Bobby Gentillo—Gentillo—Blue Heart Records BHR 024

Originally from Washington D.C. Bobby, in his youth became
fascinated with a form of music within that area entitled ‘Go-
Go’, which is a combination of Funk, Soul and Blues. His own
particular fusion of Mississippi Blues and Hill Country Blues
with Go-Go is the backbone of Bobby’s own brand of the Blues.
He is also part of The ‘Cornlickers’, who were the backing
band of the late ‘Big Jack Johnson’ they also, for the past few
years have been the house band, at the famous ‘juke-joint’,
Red’s Lounge, located in the heart of Clarksdale, Mississippi.
He is also a renowned music producer working with many
artists in the Mississippi area. His latest producing venture has been with R. L. Boyce, on the
live album ‘Boogie With R.L. Boyce’, which has recently been nominated for ‘Best Traditional
Blues Album’, in this years’ Blues Music Awards.

The ten original numbers here feature Bobby on guitar, vocals, moog, drums and percussion
with Aaron R. Lewis; harmonica, Jason Hoffheins, Dale Wise and Christy Engel; drums and
percussion, Tony Ryder and Alex Deghan; bass and Benji Porecki; B3 and all keyboards. The
album was recorded and produced at Bobby’s home studio, Right Coast Recording in Central
Pennsylvania.

There is the merest hint of ‘The Phil Spector wall of sound’ throughout the album. ‘Disease’, is
the splendid opener, a stomping Hill Country back beat, mixed with a burning harmonica and

punching organ, that plays away while, a rich twanging guitar rides over the top. The grooving
‘Peace Train’, enticingly carries on in the same vein. The insistently pounding percussion of the
instrumental ‘Ghost Train’ underpins a compelling trance inducing mixture of Blues, Hill
Country, Soul and a grooving Funk line. ‘Higher’, has a driven, ringing, Hill Country guitar
playing over a serious Funk Groove while, three drummers create a hypnotically enticing and
reverberating backbeat. ‘Treat Me So Mean’, is a splendid delta blues slow burner featuring a
singeing keyboard and a superbly taut and engaging guitar. ‘Troublin’ ’, is quite simply, a
highly enjoyable heel kicking, sawing, harmonica led shuffler.

Highly engaging!

Brian Harman.

Bananafish—Boston Bananafish—Treated and Released
Records TNR-014

Bananafish, were a Boston based rock ‘n’ roll jam band from
the 1990’s, which thrived on live performance. The band

consisted of vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Fordham
Murdy, known now as Reverend Freakchild, Dan Simone on
keyboards, Ben Chen and later Ry Cavanaugh on bass. During
their time together a number of drummers passed through
their ranks, they included; Dan Simone (until he moved to
keyboards), Joe Bulkin, Dave Barrett and finally Marc