House Party
Raisin’ A Ruckus is the perfect name for the latest album by Roomful of Blues, not that some of their past albums couldn’t have used it as well. But this album is even more of a finger poppin’, ruckus raisin’ great time than any in the string of consistently fun albums they’ve done recently. There’s only one “slow blues” song (a smokin’ “Dark Night”), the rest is a collection of hard charging guitar, tight horn arrangements and joyful vocals from this longtime eight piece jump, blues and swing band from Providence, Rhode Island.
Now in it’s fortieth year as a band, Roomful of Blues has become the standard for contemporary blues around the world despite a revolving door of personnel. Over the years there have been over 46 band members including founder Duke Robillard, guitarist Ronnie Earl and singer Lou Ann Barton. And there’s some major changes on this album. New members Dima Gorodetsky on bass, drummer Ephraim Lowell and new singer Dave Howard join the band’s current leader, guitarist Chris Vachon and his three piece horn section for some clever originals (“Lower on Your List of Priorities” and “Sweet Petite”) and some carefully chosen covers (“Boogie Woogie Country Girl” and “New Orleans”.)
Normally, a new rhythm section and singer would mean a change in direction for any other band but Roomful seems to thrive as members come and go and never misses a beat. Raisin’ a Ruckus is a worthy follow-up to their last two, highly lauded cds “That’s Right” and “Standing Room Only” and up’s the ante on the party factor. Let the ruckus raisin’ begin.
Listen for songs from Roomful of Blues’s album “Raisin’ a Ruckus” all this week on Paul Shugrue’s new music show “Out of the Box” on Hampton Roads public radio 89.5 WHRV Monday through Thursday from 7pm until 9pm, Saturday afternoon from 1pm to 5pm and on-demand at www.whrv.org/outofthebox.