Oreo Blue - 2 albums: Nuthin' But The Blues / Live By Demand

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 46:18
Size: 106.0 MB
Styles: Rockin blues
Year: 1998
Art: Front

[3:45] 1. Earned The Right
[4:18] 2. Blues By The Numbers
[4:40] 3. I Got The Blues Today
[4:23] 4. Born To Suffer
[3:27] 5. Disposable Men
[5:21] 6. Long Gone
[3:59] 7. Baby Do You Love Me
[4:16] 8. Day Off Coming Soon
[3:16] 9. Mornin' Blues
[4:31] 10. Take A Little Chance
[4:17] 11. Pork Chop Shuffle

This 1998 release is solid energy from track one to track eleven, underline the word energy. The texture of Blue's sound is impressive; slow, soul drenched blues, hard line funk, sultry R&B balladry, and straight-ahead rock n roll. The secret of the unique sound isn't difficult to fathom; it's in the talent of the individuals. Brian Crowne is an incredible sax man, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter. If this band had a musical anchor, it would be Crowne's wailing saxophone. While his sax attacks on this disc are subtle, they are still pleasingly pervasive.

Also of note is the considerable vocal ability of Chris Payton. She has a powerhouse voice, soulful delivery and knows when to growl for effect. Check out how she works the mike on tracks like "Born to Suffer;" it's in your face frustration and anger with just a hint of regret. Payton also does some outstanding voice work on "Mornin' Blues," an acoustic piece that really pushes all the right buttons. Not to underscore the searing contributions of Gary Hutchison; he is a fantastic guitarist whose myriad of influences could fill a CD store top to bottom. Marie was a little bit Country, and Donny was supposedly a little bit Rock n Roll but Gary Hutchison is a little bit of everything and then some! Check out the magic he pulls from his frets on "Pork Chop Shuffle." ~Bill Fountain

Nuthin' But The Blues mc
Nuthin' But The Blues zippy

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Album: Live By Demand
Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 115:46
Size: 265.0 MB
Styles: Rockin blues
Year: 1997
Art: Front

[ 3:48] 1. Shake It Loose
[ 5:21] 2. Speak Of The Devil
[ 5:21] 3. Long Gone
[ 3:01] 4. Big Mistake
[ 2:58] 5. Hot Saturday Night
[ 3:32] 6. Reposess My Heart
[ 5:18] 7. Down The Road
[ 8:01] 8. Minor Blues For A Major Person
[ 4:03] 9. Nobody Like My Baby
[ 3:27] 10. What You Think About Me
[ 3:41] 11. Rock And Roll All Night
[ 4:32] 12. Milagro
[ 4:09] 13. Oreo Blue - Year Of Pain
[ 9:23] 14. Too Much Conversation
[ 4:26] 15. Bobby Mcgee
[10:40] 16. Knockin On Heavens Door
[12:02] 17. I'm Alright
[10:19] 18. Rock Me Baby
[11:35] 19. Watchtower

"Live by Demand", recorded in 1996, has superb sound quality, especially considering that it was only Oreo Blue's second release overall and their first live recording . As good as their studio albums are, the group was meant to be heard in concert. This set was recorded on their home turf in Arkansas and truly captures the band's energy and musical talent. Chris Payton, the band's original vocalist who is no longer a member due to health reasons, handles the vocal chores on the majority of tracks. Her voice, reminiscent of the best blues and soul female artists, soars above the band's tight playing. The band's intensity, as well as their joy in performing, permeates the entire performance.

Brian Crowne (on sax and vocals) and Gary Hutchison (on guitar and vocals) share the soloing. Both display such a level of prowess on their respective instruments, that it is unusual to find a band with their individual equal, let alone a band that has the equal of both together. ~Al Kaplan

Live By Demand mc
Live By Demand zippy

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