Chris Harper & Sharade Band..."Blues Is My Life"...

I was asked last weekend to review CDs for the Blues Society of Western Pa.'s newsletter, and a friend of mine suggested that I post them in here also. (thanks Donna!)  I think it's a pretty good way for all of us to get exposed to maybe some stuff with which we're not familiar.

Here's a clip of "Deep Blue Sky", then the review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5sqs1_EgxM

This guy was new to me, so I listened to "Blues is My Life" with a completely open mind.  What I came away with is a sore hand from finger poppin'.....this cat and his band are SMOKIN' hot.....

The opening cut, "Sweet Honey Sunshine" is a nice, jumpin' tune that gets your attention right off the bat.  Chris doesn't just play a harmonica.....he owns it.....and he makes you anxious to hear the next cut.

"You've Got Me Baby" changes direction to a slow, smolderin', smokey love song that not only has great back up vocals from Kay C. Reed, Mae Koen, and Vanessa Holmes, but begins to show Chris's versatility, which just continues throughout the CD.

Changing direction again, "Groove Machine" pops out a funky groove with Chico Banks on guitar takin' it to another level.  If this tune don't make you wanna dance, check yer pulse.....

Next up is the first cover on the album, "Help Me" (Bass, Dixon, Williamson).  This is one of my two favorites, not only because I adore Alvin Lee's version, but Billy Branch's harp and vocals drive this tune perfectly.

Another cover, the go-to "Stormy Monday" (Walker), is a sweet, slow beauty with Chico Banks on guitar and vocals.  Chris's harp and Gianluca Barroncelli's sax make it even more so.  This tune adds layer upon layer until you're drawn in completely.

If there was any doubt in my mind, up to this point, that this wasn't just another wannabe blues band, "Lie, Lie, Lie" put that doubt to rest.  It's so good that you're not only enjoying the song, you actually feel bad for the guy.....AND his woman.  And again, simply beautiful back up vocals.....these ladies sing like angels.....

"Checkin' Up on My Baby" (Williamson) is an excellent cover that made me think of Junior Wells.  I just wish it had been a little longer. (2:26)

Al Green's "Sweet Sixteen" is a real sweet, rollin', funky thang with just the right touch of horns, harp, and sweat.  And the horns kick it up to an R & B classic at the end.....like you're on a swayin' train goin' down a midnight track.....

"Deep Blue Sky" is the only instrumental included, and it does a real nice job of showcasing the individual band members.  It's also the only original that credits Sharade Band, along with Chris Harper, as being the writers.  Nice touch adding this tune.

The title cut, "Blues Is My Life", is my other favorite.....nice, uptempo, FUNKY gem with Chico Banks on wah wah rhythm guitar, great horns, and those back up singers.....damn.....did I mention these ladies were angels??  I had a real tough time gettin' past this one. 

Harper's, and Sharade Band's, versatility shine with "Soul Bossa Nova" closing out the CD.  Real sweet blend of Latin, blues, R & B, and funk.  Very tight, very sweet, very professional.

A word about Sharade Band.  When I was looking at the liner notes, I couldn't help noticing that all the members of the band were Italian.....I mean, STONE Italian.....Gianluca Baroncelli (sax), Stefano Moruzzi (guitar), Giacomo Lauria (keys), Albano Castrese (bass), and Enrico Cecconi (drums).  I'm thinkin', OK, Harper found a bunch of guys from Brooklyn.  But when I was reading the Bio on his website ( chrisharper.ch ), I found that Chris met Sharade Band in Zurich in 2004, and, you guessed it, they're from Italy.  Duh.....

Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Chicago Horns members Bill McFarland (trombone), Kenny Anderson (trumpet), and Hank Ford (tenor sax).....tight, tight, tight. 

Chris Harper credits Sugar Blue with helping him get to this level of harp playing by changing from the lip technique to the tongue block technique, something Sugar Blue picked up from Chicago's Big Walter.  Not a bad lineage.

Initially, if I had to find a criticism of this album, I would have said that I thought Harper's vocals were a little weak.  But the more I listen, the more I like it.  His voice has a genuine quality about it.....and that only adds to the beauty of the music.....

I could come up with a dozen different ways to praise this CD, but I think this one says it all:  I'd travel to see Chris Harper and Sharade Band.....they're that good.....