Sugar Ray and the Bluetones

Evening

(Severn)

01 February 2012 — by Jeff Hannusch

Other than reissues, true gutbucket blues CDs have been a rarity for more than a decade. Enter Exhibit A—Evening. One of the better harp players on the scene today, Sugar Ray Norcia gets a smoky, vintage sound by playing period instruments through tube amps. The sound is enhanced dramatically by Norcia not singing through the studio board, but rather through an amp (likely his harp amp). If one were to compare him to one of the old-school blues legends, Sonny Boy Williamson might well come to mind. His treatment of Otis Rush’s minor-keyed “You Know My Love” and Johnny Young’s hard-driving “I’m Having a Ball” are exemplary. “I Like What You Got” and “Hard to Get Along With” are originals, but very much influenced by Sonny Boy. “(That’s Not Yet) One of My Blues” and “Too Many Rules and Regulations” have modern themes, but the sound is from the Chess studio circa 1955. The title track “Evening,” is especially attractive. Associated with T-Bone Walker,” it’s also in a minor key, but when it switches tempo at the break it is especially riveting. Backing here is superb throughout.

If you like authentic harp-driven blues, this just might be the ticket. Sugar don’t get this sweet for blues lovers.

Blues Blast – Jan. 12, 2012
Sugar Ray And The Bluetones – Evening
Severn Records
www.sugarrayandthebluetones.com
12 tracks; 57.55 minutes
I should probably start with an admission; Sugar Ray Norcia is one of my favourite blues artists, so it is no surprise that I like this CD a LOT! However, I’m not the only one as I see that the CD has just received a nomination for CD of the year at the 2012 Blues Music Awards. The CD reunites Sugar Ray with guitarist ‘Monster’ Mike Welch and the usual suspects in the Bluetones; Neil Gouvin on drums, Anthony Geraci on piano and Michael ‘Mudcat’ Ward on bass. Sugar Ray handles all lead vocals, harmonica and (probably a first!) Native American flute. Mike Welch adds background vocals. From the above you will see that there are no horns this time around which affords lots of space for Ray’s harp, Mike’s guitar and Anthony’s piano.
Sugar Ray Norcia has always written strong songs, going back to his time in Roomful Of Blues, and here there are seven of his compositions, Mike Welch and Michael Ward contributing one song each. The three covers offer an interesting range of sources; the almost inevitable Willie Dixon, the far less well known Johnny Young and the title track which is a classic Mitchell Parish ballad once recorded by T Bone Walker.
The CD opens with a rousing version of Johnny Young’s “I’m Having A Ball” and it certainly sounds as if they are! The track opens with a blast of Ray’s harp, Mike’s guitar weaving intricate patterns behind him. A shout of encouragement from Ray brings in a hot piano solo and a similar entreaty brings Mike forward for a solo before Ray himself solos, all supported by the rhythm section at full tilt. It’s an emphatic start to the album and is followed by Mike Welch’s “Hard To Get Along With” which opens with some strong harp work before Ray sings the lyrics which seem to offer a degree of self-awareness: “If I could be a better man than the one I am today, maybe I could treat you, baby, in a better kind of way. I know I’m hard to get along with, sorry but I’m doing the best I can.” Mike gets some excellent tone in his solo over some more good piano work.
Third track is a great reading of Willie Dixon’s “You Know My Love”, best known from Otis Rush’s version and often alternatively titled “My Love Will Never Die”. It is one of those wonderful slow blues that fans of classic blues sounds love and the Bluetones more than do justice to it. First there is Ray’s vocal, strong, yet tender, with a touch of sadness at the same time. Mike Welch excels himself with a succession of brilliant phrases on guitar and a quite superb solo which pays tribute to Otis Rush yet remains distinctive. This is the longest track on the CD at almost seven minutes, but it ends all too soon for me.
There are then four Norcia originals. “Dear John” is a nice lyrical twist on the old ‘Dear John’ letter idea, Ray being aware of his lover departing because he has already read the letter. The tune is a shuffle with more strong harp work. “I Like What You Got” is a real swinging tune, Ray singing through the harp mike, not a technique that I usually like but it works well here as his vocal is punctuated with short harp blasts. “Too Many Rules And Regulations” is an interesting piece, a lengthy slow blues with rolling piano and quiet support on guitar and harp while Ray gives us a mainly spoken lyric which lists some of the things in modern life that bug him. These include eating and cholesterol advice, flu epidemics and ‘nanny state’ advice, parking problems and ticket-happy cops! As Ray’s gravelly voice intones the many irritations of modern life it is hard to disagree that “Too many rules and regulations, gonna be the death of me”. The fourth original opens with the almost eerie sound of Ray’s Native American flute before a more familiar loping shuffle introduces the story of “Dancing Bear (Little Indian Boy)”, a song that takes us on a journey into Indian history with rituals of boys becoming men and more excellent guitar playing from Mike Welch.
The title track “Evening” is next up, originally written by Mitchell Parish and Harry White. It’s a slow ballad which opens with languid harp and piano before Ray’s vocal performance which is one of the strongest within a set of great performances. Incidentally, Mitchell Parish should ring a bell because he wrote the lyrics to classic songs like “Stars Fell On Alabama”, “Moonlight Serenade” and “Sophisticated Lady”. Another great guitar solo and rippling piano add to the drama of the song. Sugar Ray’s “I Came Down With The Blues” is one of his amusing songs: “I drove a thousand miles to see you, it was the least I could do. I came down to see you, but instead I came down with the blues”. It makes a good pairing with Mudcat Ward’s “(That’s Not Yet) One Of My Blues”, another ballad with beautiful piano and organ accompaniment. The slight shift in momentum between the verses and the chorus is particularly effective and Ray handles the lyrics very well.
“I’m Certain That I’m Hurting” returns to those swinging shuffles that Ray does so well. In fact this track could easily have been a Roomful Of Blues tune if a horn chart had been added. It really moves along and makes typing difficult when it is at full throttle! Solos here are by Ray and Anthony Geraci. The CD closer is “XO” which I assume is a reference to Ray’s favourite drink! It’s an instrumental feature for his harp work, rolling piano and gentle guitar chords underpinning his harp work.
Make no mistake, this CD is a real contender for album of the year and I can recommend it unreservedly
Reviewer John Mitchell is a blues enthusiast based in the UK. He also travels to the States most years to see live blues music.

Crossroads Blues Society:

M - Music & Musicians, Dec. 2011

You only need to look at these guys and before you press ‘play’ you realise it’s going to be good. If there’s a standard image for mature, blue-eyed urban blues, then The Bluetones have it – it’s The Sopranos with instruments. There are very few bands outside America who can duplicate the gasoline-flavoured raunch of Chicago. Paul Lamb and The King Snakes came close, but for the likes of Sugar Ray, featured here, Jimmie Vaughan, Duke Robillard or The Fabulous Thunderbirds, it’s that cultural osmosis of actually being there, constantly travelling the USA’s highways, the all-enveloping blues past and present seeping into your pores which produces records like this. Sugar Ray sings plays and writes from his heart. The harp playing is thick, meaty, and straight off the Illinois stockyards. The Bluetones’ version of Johnny Young's I'm Having A Ball, is terrific, as is their reading of Otis Rush's You Know My Love likewise, and as composers, their original tracks always deliver with grit and authenticity. They also have the glory of guitarist Monster Mike Welch, and the production on this 12-track set leaves you feeling as if you’ve consumed a rack of the best barbecued ribs around. It all swings, bounces, pokes you in the heart, and makes you realise how healthy true American blues still is. If you want to know how the city sounds – this is essential listening.
Roy Bainton

Sugar Ray Norcia and his Bluetones have a fine blue disk here and it tastes swell. Norcia has previously stood behind the mike with Roomful of Blues and Duke Robillard so he has a bit of experience in being bluesy and sho fine. Besides that, his MS sax plows a fine furrow in the loess of roots music. Backed by Monster Mike Welch on guitar, Mudcat Ward on bass, Tony Geraci’s keys and Neal Gouvin’s drumming, these guys plant it deep into the groove with profound respect and great, wide, fat tone. The opener, “I’m Having a Ball” is simply stellar with amazing Muddy sounding vocals and Sugar Ray’s humongo harp licks. That constant flows throughout, as harp and blues band weave meaty muscularity around each new song. Welch is monstrous (sic) on “Hard to Get Along With” and Ray is down low and emotion laden on “You Know My Love.” “Dear John” country shuffles with pain and soul harp jam that pours old Windy City solid. To these cuts comes Norcia’s wonderful vocals that are the equal of most anyone, and that works out fine because, as the man says, “my first love is always going to be die-hard, real-deal blues.” That being said, Ray and his love are steeping out to Shytown’s best groove this Evening . 8.5 snaves

MIDWEST RECORD – CHICAGO, IL – SEPTEMBER 16, 2011
SEVERN
SUGAR RAY & THE BLUETONES/Evening

In a world full of manqué, tributes and wannabes, Sugar Ray is a beacon of atavistic genes that keep it real, Chicago style, even if he’s from Connecticut and didn’t start kicking it until 1979. Sounding like he was Muddy Waters opening act at the Aristocrat Lounge without sounding the slightest bit hokey, this is nu blues for the neo purist that wasn’t here back in the day but has the hat and acts like he was-----but old timers can dig it too! You have to bring your own blue lights and smoke but Sugar Ray and crew handle the rest as if made to order. This is the real deal from a cat that does it right. Amen kiddies, it‘s a must if you have any interest at all in the blues. – Chris Spector

About.com
Blues CDs New Releases - October 2011

By Reverend Keith A. Gordon, About.com Guide
The year is coming to a close, but there's still plenty of great blues music to be heard. This month includes some choice reissues from folks like Sugar Ray & the Bluetones. No matter what your taste in blues is, here's what you'll be listening to in October....
Sugar Ray & the Bluetones – 'Evening' (Severn Records)

Photo courtesy Severn Records
Singer and harmonica player "Sugar" Ray Norcia is another underrated bluesman, his talented band the Bluetones providing energy and enthusiasm to Norcia's blend of Chicago-styled and jump-blues performed with an undeniable R&B flavor. For Evening, Norcia welcomes former Bluestones guitarist "Monster" Mike Welch back to the fold for what promises to be a real wildfire collection of original and classic material, including a cover of Otis Rush's "You Know My Love." (Release date: 10/18/11)

Sugar Ray Norcia’s fifth CD for Severn Records is a harp blues “tour de force” that will delight his many fans and also provide “a slice of blues heaven” for all lovers of harp fuelled blues.

I have admired Sugar Ray’s music for more years than I wish to recall, but have to say that this set ranks amongst his very best. Backed by the supremely talented Bluetones – “Monster” Mike Welch, Michael “Mudcat” Ward, Neil Gouvin and Anthony Geraci, - all great musicians in their own right, Sugar Ray responds with what could become a modern day classic of the genre.

Of the twelve tracks featured, three are covers – and well chosen ones at that. Johnny Young’s “I’m Having A Ball” kicks off proceedings – a Chi-Town shuffle replete with blasting harp that melds the influences of Junior Wells and Billy Boy Arnold with the Muddy inflected echoey vocals sung through the harp mic and underpinned by tough resonant guitar and hard rocking piano. Otis Rush’s Willie Dixon penned “You Know My Love” find’s Norcia’s moody Arthur Alexander inspired vocals mirrored by shimmering guitar – whilst “Evening” is given a simply superb reading with Norcia’s melancholy vocals and Larry Adler inflected harp complemented by moody organ, piano and guitar.

Of the originals, the brooding “Hard To Get Along With” melds the harp influences of Little Walter and Snooky Pryor, replete with Spannesque piano and guitar that flits between Eddie C. Campbell and Jimmy Rogers. “Dear John is permeated with a swampy Slim Harpo styled groove but the vocal harmonies have a strong Coasters feel – the instrumental “XO” recalls Sonny Boy’s Storyville period with warbling harp, rolling piano and Matt Murphy styled guitar, as does “Too Many Rules And Regulations” with it’s half-spoken Memphis Slim styled vocals – whilst “Dancing Bear (Little Indian Boy)” opens with haunting native American flute before the piano boogies in joined by Welch’s mellifluous guitar and Norcia’s compelling vocals.

Add in the jumping West Coast R&B of “I’m Certain That I’m Hurting” with it’s George Smith styled harp, and the Smith styled shuffle” I Came Down With The Blues” with it’s Luther “Guitar Jr” Johnson styled guitar, and you will understand why this set comes so highly recommended.
(www.severnrecords.com)
Rating 10
Mick Rainsford

Boston Blues Society

Sugar Ray and The Bluetones – Evening – Review by AJ Wachtel

Sugar Ray & The Bluetones
Evening
Severn Records
review by A.J.Wachtel
This is a red-hot cracker-jack band and all tunes have the main ingredients for a hit record: growling guitar, romping piano, a powerful rhythm section and the harp and voice of a legend. Monster Mike Welch on guitar does it all; he screams. he seduces and he entertains. Mudcat Ward on four strings and Neil Gouvin are a razor sharp rhythm section keeping it all together and powerfully filling in the gaps and Anthony Geraci on piano shakes, rattles and rolls throughout the CD. Sugar Ray’s Sonny Boy Williamson influenced harp and his rough and tumble vocals paint a world-weary picture that is both believable and driving song after song. Memorable music moments include: Johnny Young’s “I’m Having A Ball” and Otis Rush’s “You Know My Love;” two interesting and fitting covers that almost explode with the band’s collective virtuosity but the original melodies I like the best are Welch’s “Hard To Get Along With”, and Sugar Ray’s “Too Many Rules And Regulations” , “I Came Down With The Blues” and “I’m Certain That I’m Hurting” three songs that sound like they could have been done by Sugar Ray’s previous band Roomful Of Blues. The title song, “Evening” , once recorded by T-Bone Walker showcases the great piano, haunting harp and sparkling guitar riffs that so elegantly are heard on more traditional blues songs like “XO” and “Dear John” also. This is a good CD if you are into Chicago Blues done locally.
October 16, 2011

Sugar Ray & the Bluetones - Media/Press

Blues Festival E-Guide

Sugar Ray Norcia And The Bluetones – Evening – October 17, 2011