Page 44 - BiTS_05_MAY_2023

The band are; Bob Orsi; vocals, River City Slim; drums, Larry Willey; guitar, Tony Delisio; bass,
Steve Donovan; keyboards, John Smayda, saxophones, Neil Tint; Trumpet and flugelhorn. The
album was recorded in West Haven CT and the eleven numbers here, are a mixture of original
compositions and covers, which are; the Temptations ‘I Can’t Get Next to You’, Bobby “Blue”
Bland’s ‘I Wouldn’t Treat A Dog’ and Clarence Carter’s ‘Tell Daddy’, which was later a hit for Etta
James and a homage to soul legend Betty Harris on ‘Cry To Me’.

Opening the proceedings is ‘I Can’t Get Next to You’, slowly punching percussion and a tantalising
girly chorus sweeps over you, fuelled by splendidly stabbing horns while over the top, the subtle
velvety vocals caress your ears. On ‘I’ll Carry You Home’, a very mellow, relaxed trumpet leads
this southern ballad, with very effective backing vocals courtesy of Dayna Snell, Asleya Hardy,
Kim M. Hawk, Tanairy Barton and Denise Powell. Meanwhile, Bob judges the emotion just right
as he offers to lend his helping hands.

At just over eight minutes long ‘A Little Bit Of That’, is an infectious, slowly building soul funker,
it sees the whole horn section (alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, trumpet and flugelhorn)
rolling over a solid bass line and floating keyboards with a deliciously smooth vocal and raw
guitar riding above it all. The understated ‘Cry To Me’, is quite simply, all that you would want
from a solid southern tearjerker, splendid! On ‘Tell Daddy’, all you need to hear are those luscious
driving horns to know you’ll enjoy this great driver. ‘Dressed To Kill’, is southern soul’s answer
to Z.Z Top, except that it’s got a soulful funk bass line and swirling, punching horns and a gently,
grooving strutting guitar.

This is rather good!

Brian Harman

Michele D’Amour and The Love Dealers—Hot Mess—
Blueskitty Records

Seattle based band Michele D’Amour & the Love Dealers’ new
album contains ten new original numbers and a cover of Dr John’s
‘Walk On Gilded Splinters’, from his night-tripping days for our
delectation. The band consists Michele D’Amour McDanel; lead
and backing vocals, Patrick McDanel; electric and upright bass,
Richard Newman; electric and steel guitars, Carl Martin; drums,
Noel Barnes; soprano and alto saxophones.

Guest players are, Tom Worrel; piano and Philip Woo; organ. Due
to various problems and setbacks the album was conceived and recorded over the last two years
and it was recorded at The Electrokitty Studios in Seattle WA. The stomping opener, is ‘Hot Mess’,
the imposing, raw wah, wah guitar is given an exciting infusion of punching, funking saxophone,
while an enjoyably scorching vocal from Michele is entwined within.

This is followed by a grooving and hauntingly slow bass, which introduces a rather splendid
rendition of Dr John’s ‘Walk On Gilded Splinters’, from his night-tripping days, the heady prowling
saxophones give Michele’s’ vocals a chilling edge. The toe tapping, hip-swinging funk-filled

saxophones and wah, wahing guitars introduce the darkly sarcastic ‘Devil In The Dark’, which
concerns the callous, hypocrisy of “the Men in Suits”. The pleasantly strolling ‘Helping Hand’, is
an enjoyably warm organ led rhythm and blues ballad that features a gently relaxed sweeping
saxophone. The chillingly, relaxed rumba infused ‘Cold Red Sun’, focuses upon the disastrous
effects to people, wildlife and property of the wildfires that not so long ago ravaged the West
Coast of America. ‘Muddling Through’, is a relaxed, breezy organ and piano led, country tale of