If the name of the band doesn't offer a clue as to what you're in for here, then song titles like "Oh, My Baby Don't Love Me" and "Willie Bought a T-Bird" should. And when the former kicks off this CD with punchy, rollicking R & B, it's certainly no surprise. But with this band, innovation matters a lot less than having fun.
The Rockin' Daddys are a bar band, pure and simple. Sometimes the resulting recording is a Blues 101 track like "Slow Blues Blast." Yawn. Other times, as in "Reddy Teddy," the urge is strong to shake your ass and wave your hands in the air like you just don't care. On that track, it's as if Buddy Holly is back and phrases like "go, man, go" don't seem so corny. "When She Do the Boogie" is another good one, with punch from Gus Zeising on tenor and baritone sax, bassist Bill Richardson keepin' the flow, and an overall Little Feat flair.
Blue Fox is certainly front-and-center throughout, and his fun-loving demeanor comes through in his growly vocals, guitar and harmonica. Fox solos on seven songs and isn't shy about it. On "Sweet Home Chicago," he has a certain Leon Redbone slur, while on "Hole in the Bottom of the Sea," the pace is fun, fast and goofy. Even with his odd charisma, however, the best tracks are seasoned by the Rockin' Daddys. "Hey Good Looking/Messing" is possibly the highlight here. It's simple, catchy and full of pace changes. Solos are abundant, and as things speed up your toes start tapping. It's a long way from the Hank Williams original, but chances are the old man would approve.
The song that offers the greatest chance of sticking in your head for days, though, is "Going Down the Road." It's hard to reinvent an old chestnut like this, but Blue Fox shines it up nicely. Linda Bassick's voice is a nice counterpoint to Fox's male energy, and makes me wish she appeared more than once in these 18 tracks. Well mixed and mastered at Low Tech Studios by Zeising, the sound is clean and professional. Nick Caiano also gets credit for mixing a few tracks. That said, the best way to appreciate a bar band is in its native habitat. Luckily, they play out lots in local clubs. Check out www.thebluefox.com for upcoming shows in your neck of the woods. - Kurt Zimmer