Time: 35:12
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2023
Styles: Electric Blues, Blues Rock
Art: Full
01. Blue Diamonds (3:04)
02. Hollywood (4:03)
03. Just Come Home (3:28)
04. Further On Up The Road (3:00)
05. Back To Chicago (3:06)
06. New York (3:39)
07. Red House (4:09)
08. Ukraine We Stand (3:57)
09. Are You Lonely? (2:57)
10. Blue Guitar (Live) (3:45)
Veteran rock ‘n’ rollers with the blues in their hearts, The Name Droppers, have toured the world backing blues rock guitar icon, Johhny Winter, and East Coast legend, Charlie Karp, who earned notoriety as a teenager playing guitar with Buddy Miles. The quartet of guitarist Rafe Klein, Hall of Fame drummer Bobby “T” Torello, Grammy-winning bassist Scott Spray and keyboardist Ron Rifkin joined forces in 2019 and are set to release their third album, Blue Diamonds. The collection of muscular tunes comprises seven new originals including a song dedicated to Ukraine along with two beloved blues classics and a bonus live track. The guests on the project included guitarists Al Ferrante and Jay Willie, vocalists Heather Joseph, Simone Brown, Carol Sylvan, and the entire Horizon Music Choir, with Bill Holloman (Chic, Danny Gatton) adding saxophone and original Paul Butterfield Blues Band keyboardist Mark Naftalin sitting in on piano.
Jersey shore rocker, “Blue Diamonds,” opens the set with Klein lamenting how his substance abuse led to losing his lady love. Bobby T leads the crew thru the scathing rebuke of heartbreaker fashioned over a Chicago Blues riff “Hollywood.” The sentimental 12-bar blues “Just Come Home,” has Holloman’s mournful tenor echoing Klein’s pleading vocals. The quartet burns through Bobby “Blue” Bland standard “Further On Up The Road,” with flair, dropping in a little nod to other oft played chestnuts like the seasoned pros they are. Jay Willie shows off his skill at slide guitar and Johnny Winter influence while Bobby T name checks several Windy City landmarks on the Bo Diddley Beat road trip ramble “Back To Chicago.”
The bittersweet soul ballad, “New York,” is a gritty Brill Building Pop throwback. The legend Charlie Karp reappears from the great beyond to play lead guitar on “Red House,” a session saved from the vaults and posthumously released here in tribute to a dear departed friend and consummate bluesman. The Name Droppers, angered by what is happening in Ukraine, decided to write a song to express their solidarity with the people of that country. The symphonic blues rocker “Ukraine We Stand,” was released as a single with proceeds going to charities in Ukraine to aid refugees fleeing the country. Brooklyn born Carole Sylvan lends her sought after vocals to the bumping shuffle, “Are You Lonely?,” and Willie drops in more great slide guitar for good measure.
The showstopper fan favorite rock ‘n’ roll number, “Blue Guitar,” gives us a taste of The Name Droppers live show and possibly a hopeful glimpse at the follow up album to Blue Diamonds. ~Rick J Bowen
Jersey shore rocker, “Blue Diamonds,” opens the set with Klein lamenting how his substance abuse led to losing his lady love. Bobby T leads the crew thru the scathing rebuke of heartbreaker fashioned over a Chicago Blues riff “Hollywood.” The sentimental 12-bar blues “Just Come Home,” has Holloman’s mournful tenor echoing Klein’s pleading vocals. The quartet burns through Bobby “Blue” Bland standard “Further On Up The Road,” with flair, dropping in a little nod to other oft played chestnuts like the seasoned pros they are. Jay Willie shows off his skill at slide guitar and Johnny Winter influence while Bobby T name checks several Windy City landmarks on the Bo Diddley Beat road trip ramble “Back To Chicago.”
The bittersweet soul ballad, “New York,” is a gritty Brill Building Pop throwback. The legend Charlie Karp reappears from the great beyond to play lead guitar on “Red House,” a session saved from the vaults and posthumously released here in tribute to a dear departed friend and consummate bluesman. The Name Droppers, angered by what is happening in Ukraine, decided to write a song to express their solidarity with the people of that country. The symphonic blues rocker “Ukraine We Stand,” was released as a single with proceeds going to charities in Ukraine to aid refugees fleeing the country. Brooklyn born Carole Sylvan lends her sought after vocals to the bumping shuffle, “Are You Lonely?,” and Willie drops in more great slide guitar for good measure.
The showstopper fan favorite rock ‘n’ roll number, “Blue Guitar,” gives us a taste of The Name Droppers live show and possibly a hopeful glimpse at the follow up album to Blue Diamonds. ~Rick J Bowen
Blue Diamonds MP3
Blue Diamonds FLAC
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