Sugar Ray & the Bluetones
Hands Across The Table
(Severn CD-0033)
A mainstay on the New England blues scene, Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
have been churning out high quality music for years. With alumnus including Ronnie Earl,
Monster Mike Welch and Kid Bangham, Sugar Ray Norcia has consistently surrounded himself
with the finest blues musicians in New England. Over the years, the Bluetones have
released albums on the Varrick and Bullseye labels. Their last few releases have been on
the Severn label and like all of the labels output they have been outstanding.
Hands Across The Table finds Norcia backed by long time rhythm section
Michael "Mudcat" Ward on bass, Neil Gouvin on drums, Anthony Geraci on piano and
Denton native Paul Size on guitar. The title track opens the disc and sets the stage for
what is to follow, Norcia's penchant for writing songs that tell stories. The next tune
"I Done Got Wise" features Sugar Ray's fat tones harp and a rolling guitar
figure from Size. "Dark Roads Calling" is a jazzy slow blues with support from
the Providence Horns and an extended solo from Size. "Cloud Cover" is an
instrumental featuring Norcia's harp while "That's My Desire" is 50's style
R&B with a New Orleans feel. "I'm Gonna Break Into Folsom Prison" relates
the tale of a man who wants to go to prison so he can eat after losing his job. Overall,
this disc contains 13 strong songs performed by a seasoned band of professionals. Another
winner from Sugar Ray and The Bluetones.
- Barry Gober -
Southwest Blues CD Review - June 2005
Current Reviews - 2005 Reviews - available at our store
